Remember a time when bridges were more than just crossings? The Normanby Bridge embodies Brisbane’s growth. It also embodies its commitment to progress. We are standing before a structure that has witnessed horse-drawn carriages give way to roaring engines.
The Normanby Bridge we see now isn’t the first here. This is actually the third Normanby Bridge on this site. The original bridge opened in 1874. The Queensland Governor at the time was The Most Honourable George Augustus Constantine, Marquess of Normanby. It is suggested the bridge was named after him.
Rapid motor vehicle development necessitated a new bridge. The second Normanby Bridge opened on May 13, 1893. Look closely at old photos and you can see the white railings. Imagine the traffic of the 1920s. The Normanby Bridge would have loomed large with Victoria Bridge in the background.
As Brisbane grew, so did the need for an even sturdier crossing. The current Normanby Bridge was opened on October 17, 1959. An estimated 2000 people crowded the northern bank of the Mary River. They witnessed the official opening of the new Normanby Bridge by the Minister for Local Government, Mr. J. A. Heading. Miss Queensland 1959, Nancy Knudsen, cut a white ribbon stretching across the city entrance. The 52-foot high bridge cost an estimated £128,000. It measures 503 feet long and 24 feet wide between kerbs.
This Normanby Bridge demonstrates early cast-in-situ reinforced concrete bridge construction. It was built soon after the development of reinforced concrete technology. Thomas Kirk was the Brisbane City Engineer who managed and supervised the project. The Normanby Bridge Board comprised of two aldermen from the Towns of Windsor and Ithaca. There were also two councillors of the Enoggera Shire, Brisbane City Engineer Thomas Kirk and W.T.Jack, Chief Inspector of L.A.L. Works.
The Normanby Bridge carries the inbound lanes of Kelvin Grove Road over Enoggera Creek. It has three vehicular lanes and a footway on the downstream side. A new bridge carrying the outbound lanes was constructed adjacent to the Normanby Bridge on the upstream side.
The bridge deck measures approximately 50m long and 17m wide. The surviving handrail on the downstream side is of 150mm x 100mm rectangular reinforced concrete posts. They are 650mm long cast at 265 centres between concrete top and bottom rails. The handrail spans between ornamental pillars. The handrail is terminated at each end of the bridge by enlarged pillars.
Look for the marble commemorative plaques. The plaque fixed to the south end of the Normanby Bridge reads: “Normanby Bridge Opened by The Hon. E.C. Theodore, MLA Treasurer and Minister for Works 30 July 1919.” The marble plaque fixed to the north end of the bridge reads: “1918 Normanby Bridge Board 1918”.
The Normanby Bridge stands as a testament to Brisbane’s ingenuity. It represents community collaboration. It stands as an enduring symbol of progress. As you cross this bridge, consider its history. Think about the countless journeys it has facilitated. Consider its role in shaping Brisbane. The Normanby Bridge is more than just a crossing. It is a landmark. It is a connection to Brisbane’s past. It is a pathway to its future.