steel type bridge spanning new south wales victoria remaining steel bridge lift span crosses murray second lift span bridge built river opened built new_south_wales designed bridge originally planned carry railway line new_south_wales line extended bridge bridge currently carries single lane road controlled traffic lights bridge built largely service significant cross border traffic relating fruit production industry constructed year period onwards originally planned long build delays problems contractor industrial action major accident bridge steamer lift span tearing apart upper deck boat description steel bridge length bridge contains single lift span length span working order lanes wide length lift span capable carrying single lane entire bridge marked single lane traffic lights ends control flow bridge completed bridge designed able carry loads required railway opened traffic bridge intended converted allow rail railway line extended bridge line extended terminus remains day location bridge thought convenient provided link highway travelling farther upstream remaining steel bridge lift span river bridge built decline commercial river traffic murray lift span bridge type built river significance local area listed history nearby town important river port wool shipped coast variety traffic area 1890s farming greatly expanded region known fruit production traffic volumes increased decided install punt location known abbot ford new_south_wales victoria signed agreement constructing bridges railways murray serve settlements northern report released recommended going ahead building bridges future said bridge area benefit proposed irrigation scheme north cost estimated considered appropriate combine bridges locks idea rejected concerns residents nearby settlements urged construction railway line proposed bridge site told extension line delayed year decided bridge constructed increased traffic volume let manufacture bridge spans construction piles transport materials future construction site early foundation pile tents found site future bridge men region awaiting employment structure middle year unemployment problems issue similarly government debt increasing expected railway line completed november construction started expected bridge opened september following year approach road bridge progressively completed entirety construction bridge complete june construction halted contract requirements met february year construction resumed april men working bridge went strike concern time dependent undertaken time construction considered unemployment relief constructing authority began look men work places april details emerged number men strike actually caused alleged dismissal men left lunch break early strike continued april work resumed early bridge reported little half completed time reported mid construction work progress piers bridge low river levels meant staging installed allow work bridge framework estimated time completion point end year noted early september extension railway expected occur bridge completed bridge construction january time estimated date completion month away bridge finally opened traffic april official opening bridge governor occurred july celebrated cutting ribbon opening gates end lift span return presented silver cigarette case major accident occurred bridge august steamer struck lift span bridge span raised high level causing clip steamer funnel rip apart upper deck high pressure steam released accident causing believe boat fire thought captain found wreckage upper deck navigating boat lower deck time captain displayed considerable skill immediately realised raising span despite given clear meant high actions boat progressed downstream caught current prevented boat stuck bridge like early days bridge carries traffic related fruit production industry especially picking harvesting seasons bridge lifts timed try avoid traffic delays local community considers bridge inadequate feel commercial activity
Abbotsford Bridge