“Headaches” is probably what Mitchell’s Bridge causes for today’s traffic authorities. This bridge stands as a testament to a bygone era. Its heritage status prevents alterations. So, it creates a bottleneck that won’t easily be bypassed. I am talking about Mitchell’s Bridge.
Mitchell’s Bridge opened in 1832. It was a part of Victoria Pass on the western escarpment. Convict labor built it by hand. Today, it remains in use on the Great Western Highway.
Before Mitchell’s Bridge, Cox’s precipitous route down Mt York was used. “Lawson’s Long Alley” superseded it around 1823. Lieutenant William Lawson’s route was marginally less steep. Also, the descent was shorter. The best route would have been north along Darling Causeway. It would have descended near Lithgow. However, the country did not offer the water and feed needed by horses.
Between 1912 and 1920, Berghoffer’s Pass was an alternative. It was more suited to the limited pulling power of cars. It suffered from sharp curves. As cars became more powerful, it was abandoned. Now, it is a walking track.
The bridge is named after Major Thomas Mitchell. He was the Surveyor General of the day. Mitchell’s Pass on Lapstone Hill also bears his name.
Interestingly, the first solar-powered car to cross a continent conquered Victoria Pass. It was near the end of its journey. There was some concern about the car’s ability to tackle the hill. But there were no problems that day.
Major Thomas Mitchell surveyed and recommended the construction of a road. He wanted it along this route. This was in preference to the governor’s suggestion. The governor wanted to station a permanent repair gang. They would work on the existing Lapstone Zig Zag Road. This road is now Old Bathurst Road.
Mitchell believed in building things to last. He was determined to have a stone bridge. He didn’t want the flimsy timber variety. Those were what had been constructed in the colony so far. To Mitchell, well-designed bridges were a sign of a civilized society. He thought they were the most indispensable of public works.
David Lennox arrived in Sydney at the right time. He had decided to emigrate. This was after the death of his wife. He was a master stone mason with twenty years of experience. His experience included several bridge projects in England. Mitchell discovered Lennox building a wall outside the Legislative Council Chambers in Sydney.
Lennox’s job required him to furnish the designs. He also had to construct the centering. He directed the application of convict labor. They cut and set stone. He oversaw all branches of carpentry and masonry. All this was necessary for the construction of a bridge. He was assigned a team of convict workmen. He is said to have established a good relationship with them.
In July 1833, Governor Bourke rode up the new pass to the Pilgrim Inn. The bridge continued to be part of the main route to the west until 1926. That’s when the highway was re-routed across Knapsack Viaduct.
Lennox Bridge, opened in 1833, is the oldest surviving stone arch bridge. It is on the Australian mainland. It crosses Brookside Creek. This creek is also known as Lapstone Creek. It replaced an earlier crossing of the creek. The old crossing was 600 meters further south. Today, it survives as a walking track. A nearby quarry is thought to have provided stone for the bridge.
The bridge served as the main route to the Blue Mountains for 93 years. It was closed in 1967. Later, it was strengthened and repaired with an internal concrete structure. It re-opened in 1982.
So, the next time you cross Mitchell’s Bridge. Remember the hands that built it. Remember the vision of Major Thomas Mitchell. Consider the legacy of David Lennox. These people created a lasting monument to engineering. This bridge overcame the challenges of its time.