State Highway 1, Balclutha, Clutha
Not as old as many of New Zealand's historic bridges, this structure is special because it is quite unique in style, pleasing to the eye, and a long lasting solution for a small town on the massive Clutha river.
Our second-longest river is mighty at it's origins in the Otago High Country, and even bigger down here at Balclutha, just before it splits in two on it's last stretch towards the Southern Ocean. For a time the river was also known by the name Molyneux, but those days are over.
The six symmetrical arches on concrete pillars went up on 1935 and immediately became a symbol of the town. The failures of two previous wooden structures and the might of the river means locals revere their concrete bridge, and visitors admire it's presence, standing high above the town and river. In 2017, the Council was planning lighting and other enhancements for pedestrians and vehicles. The rail bridge, an earlier timber structure, is a kilometre downstream and still functional.
Image Credit- Clutha District Council and Traffic Bridge, Balclutha, June 1913, Balclutha, by Muir & Moodie studio. Te Papa
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