Out with the old bridge

The Batemans Bay bridge was opened on 21 November, 1956. Prior to the bridge there was a punt which was used for crossing the Clyde River. It was the last remaining vehicular ferry on the Princes Highway between Sydney and the Victorian border. 

This "old bridge" had a lifting mechanism which opened the middle span to allow craft to pass underneath. It had scheduled opening times twice a day. The mechanical mechanism needed much maintenance, and it occasionally got stuck in the upright position, cutting all access between the northern and southern parts of town, and of course access to anywhere south of BB, unless vehicles travelled hundreds of kilometres inland and then to the coast further south.

Now a new, much higher bridge has been built and the old bridge has closed. It will be dismantled. 

I walked over the old bridge on the last day it was possible to do so. 

For views of the old bridge from the new, see this post.