Red Bridge (Tasmania)

The Red Bridge in Tasmania crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town. Built in 1838 using penal labour, it is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia,^[1] as well as the oldest bridge anywhere on the National Highway.^[2] The bridge contains three arch spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each and holds two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways. It lies on the Midland Highway, roughly halfway between Hobart and Launceston, carrying over two million vehicles per year.

Red Bridge
Red Bridge, Tasmania
Coordinates	41°55′58″S 147°29′34″E
Carries	Motor vehicles and Pedestrians
Crosses	Elizabeth River
Locale	Campbell Town, Tasmania,  Australia
Heritage status	Registered
Characteristics
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Brick and Stone
Longest span	7.6 metres (25 ft)
No. of spans	3
History
Designer	James Blackburn
Construction start	1836
Construction end	July 1838
Location

It is said to have been designed by James Blackburn, architect to Melbourne and a convict himself.^[3] It was constructed of 1,250,000 handmade bricks on dry land, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under the bridge.^[4]

The Red Bridge is registered on the Register of the National Estate since 1978.

The bridge received an Engineering Heritage National Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.^[5]