View source for Lennox Bridge, Parramatta

{{Short description|Heritage-listed pedestrian and rail bridge in Sydney, Australia}}
{{about|the bridge in Parramatta, Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia|the bridge in Glenbrook in the lower Blue Mountains, New South Wales|Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Lennox Bridge
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = 
| image = Lennox Bridge (Church Street) (30480031855).jpg
| image_size = 280px
| alt = 
| caption = The Lennox Bridge in [[Parramatta]], from the west.
| official_name = 
| other_name = 
| carries = Church Street, Parramatta {{bulleted list|[[Pedestrian]]s|[[Light Rail]]}}
| crosses = [[Parramatta River]]
| locale = [[Parramatta]], [[Western Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| owner = [[Parramatta City Council]]
| maint = 
| id = 
| id_type = 
| website = 
| architect = 
| designer = [[David Lennox]]
| engineering = 
| winner = 
| contracted_designer = 
| design = Single [[arch bridge]]
| material = [[Hawkesbury sandstone]]
| length = {{convert|90|ft|m|order=flip}}
| width = {{convert|30|ft|m|order=flip}}
| height = 
| mainspan = {{convert|76|ft|m|order=flip}}
| spans = 1
| pierswater = 
| load = 
| clearance = 
| below = 
| life = 
| builder = 
| fabricator = 
| begin = {{start date|1836|10|22|df=y}}
| complete = 1839
| cost = [[Australian pound|£]]1,797
| open = 
| inaugurated = 
| named_for = [[David Lennox]]
| toll = 
| traffic = 
| preceded = Gaol Bridge (1804–1836)
| followed = 
| heritage = 
| collapsed = 
| closed = 
| replaces = 
| coordinates = {{coord|-33.810719|151.004548|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|format=dms|display=title,inline}}
| lat = 
| long = 
| extra = {{Infobox designation list
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| designation3            = NSW
| designation3_offname    = 
| designation3_type       = Built
| designation3_criteria   = [[New South Wales State Heritage Register#Criteria|a., e., f.]]
| designation3_date       = 2 April 1999
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| designation3_number     = 00750
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| references = <ref name=hcnsw/><ref name=rms/><ref name=phc/><ref name=smh/>
}}
The '''Lennox Bridge''' is a heritage-listed [[Hawkesbury sandstone|sandstone]] single [[arch bridge]] across the [[Parramatta River]], located in [[Parramatta]] in [[Western Sydney|Western]] [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. The bridge was designed by and built under the supervision of [[David Lennox]], the first [[Colony of New South Wales|Colonial]] Superintendent of Bridges using [[Convicts in Australia#New South Wales|convict labour]] between 1836 and 1839. The Lennox Bridge is the third oldest surviving masonry bridge in New South Wales.<ref name=rms/> The bridge carries Church Street, the main north-south street of Parramatta's central business district.<ref name=hcnsw/> It was added to the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] on 2 April 1999.<ref name=nswshr-750>{{cite NSW SHR|5051414|Lennox Bridge|hr=00750|fn=S91/00389/001; 11/08483;|access-date=2 June 2018}}</ref>

The bridge carries the [[Parramatta Light Rail]], which runs [[Street running train|on-street]] along Church Street.

==History==
[[File:Parramatta lennox bridge.JPG|thumb|left|A view of the Lennox Bridge from the northeastern bank of [[Parramatta River]].]]
The Lennox Bridge is on the site of the earliest documented crossing of the Parramatta River in the Parramatta area, dating from early colonial settlement. The current bridge is the third on, or adjacent to, the site.<ref name=rms>{{cite web|url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=heritage.show&id=4300301|title=Lennox Bridge, Parramatta|work=Heritage and Conservation Register, [[Roads & Maritime Services]]|publisher=Government of New South Wales|date=14 May 2009|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> The first was a simple timber footbridge which was destroyed by floods in 1795. The second bridge, called the Gaol Bridge, was built on stone piers with timber railings and was completed between 1802 and 1804.<ref name=smh/><ref>{{Cite sign|author=Newell, H. H.|title=Lennon Bridge|type=Plaque, erected at the time of the widening of the bridge|publisher=Commissioner for Main Roads|location=Sydney|date=2 October 1935}}</ref>

The current Lennox Bridge is a single span stone elliptical arch bridge over Parramatta River on the line of Church Street, and is constructed of sandstone sourced from the [[Parramatta Female Factory]] quarry. Completed in 1839, the bridge cost [[Australian pound|£]]1,797 to complete.<ref name=rms/>

This was David Lennox's third and final bridge,<ref name=hcnsw/> his first two being the [[Lennox Bridge, Glenbrook|Lennox Bridge]] at {{NSWcity|Glenbrook}},<ref name=ADoB_David_Lennox>{{cite AuDB|title=Lennox, David (1788–1873)|author=Antill, J. M.|id2=lennox-david-2350|access-date=10 October 2017}}</ref> completed in 1833 (making it the second-oldest bridge on the Australian mainland, the oldest being the bridge at the base of Devines Hill at [[Wisemans Ferry]] on the [[Great North Road (New South Wales)|Great North Road]], which was completed in 1829–1830) and the [[Lansdowne Bridge]], {{NSWcity|Lansvale}}, completed in 1836.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://camwest.pps.com.au/heritage/route_sites/index.html|title=Parramatta Heritage Ride|work=Cyclists Action Movement West}}</ref>

In 1885–1886 the Department of Public Works removed the wall on the upstream (i.e. western) side of the bridge to widen it, and put up the present railing at the same time.<ref name=phc>{{cite web|title=Lennox Bridge, Parramatta, 1836-1839|author=Barker, Geoff|url=http://parramattaheritage.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/lennox-bridge-parramatta-1836-1839.html|work=Parramatta Heritage Centre|publisher=[[Parramatta City Council]]|date=2 January 2014|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> In 1901–02 the bridge was strengthened internally for the [[Trams in Sydney#Castle Hill|Castle Hill Tramway]]. In 1912 the parapet on the western side was removed, providing a cantilevered pedestrian way. In 1934–1935 this new section was removed, the Department of Main Roads widening the bridge in order to handle increased traffic. This modification saw the replacement of the cantilevered walk-way with an open concrete type and the straightening of the curved western face.<ref name=hcnsw>{{cite NSW SHR|5051414|Lennox Bridge|fn=S91/00389/001; 11/08483|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=rms/>

In the 1990s Lennox Bridge was saved from demolition by campaigning by the [[National Trust of Australia]] (NSW).<ref name=nswshr-750/>

== Description ==
Lennox Bridge is a single [[sandstone]] arch bridge spanning 91 feet (27.73m), the clear [[Span (architecture)|span]] of the arch being 23.16 m across the Parramatta River with approaches on the line of Church St.<ref name=nswshr-750/>

==Construction of tunnels for pedestrians and cyclists==

In 2012 a controversial<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/parramattas-historic-properties-under-threat-from-development/story-fndo4bst-1226497716909|title=Parramatta's historic properties under threat from development|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]|date=17 October 2012|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Bartok, Di|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/bridge-pioneer-shame/story-fngr8huy-1226581200740|title=Bridge pioneer shame|work=Parramatta Advertiser|date=20 February 2013|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> proposal to construct tunnels through the bridge on both sides of the bank for pedestrians and cyclists<ref>{{cite news|author=Bartok, Di|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/dont-drill-lennox-bridge-parramatta-heritage-fighters/story-fndo317g-1226502897485|title=Don't drill Lennox bridge: Parramatta heritage fighters|work=Parramatta Advertiser|date=25 October 2012|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> was approved by [[Parramatta City Council]]; and work began in early 2014<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/work-begins-on-lennox-bridge-portals/story-fngr8huy-1226815102965|title=Work begins on Lennox Bridge portals|work=Parramatta Advertiser|date=3 February 2014|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Kembrey, Melanie|url=http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/2068374/historians-lament-loss-of-heritage-as-tunnel-work-starts/|title=Historians lament 'loss of heritage' as tunnel work starts |work=Parramatta Sun|date=5 February 2014|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> with expectations to open before Christmas that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/tunnel-through-the-north-end-of-lennox-bridge-will-be-open-to-pedestrians-and-cyclists-before-christmas/story-fngr8huy-1227158331696|title=Tunnel through the north end of Lennox Bridge will be open to pedestrians and cyclists before Christmas|work=Parramatta Advertiser|date=19 December 2014|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> However, there was a delay attributed to archeological investigations<ref>{{cite news|author=Bartok, Di|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/lennox-bridge-work-could-be-held-up-by-heritage-office/story-fngr8huy-1226731419018|title=Lennox Bridge work could be held up by Heritage Office|work=Parramatta Advertiser|date=2 October 2013|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> that uncovered a sandstone pier and timber girders of the second bridge on that site, built between 1802 and 1804.<ref name=smh>{{cite news|author=Kembrey, Melanie|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/one-of-australias-first-bridges-found-within-parramattas-historic-lennox-bridge-20141206-11zwov.html|title=One of Australia's first bridges found within Parramatta's historic Lennox Bridge|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=7 December 2014|access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref> While both portals opened in 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lennox Bridge Portal Opening - Parramatta River - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p57ZtrRZc7M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/p57ZtrRZc7M |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the southern tunnel was closed off to assist with the construction of the [[Parramatta Light Rail]] (completed in 2024), and [https://thelennoxparramatta.com.au/ The Lennox], a riverfront high-rise residential apartment building, which will include a new public walkway on the western side of the southern tunnel.

== Parramatta Light Rail ==
In 2019, construction began on the first stage of the Parramatta Light Rail line,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stage 1: Westmead to Carlingford {{!}} Home {{!}} Parramatta Light Rail|url=http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/stage-1-westmead-carlingford|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au}}</ref> servicing Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and opened on the 20th of December, 2024. As part of the project, a light rail and pedestrian zone was established on Church Street between Market Street and Macquarie Street (including the Lennox Bridge) and the existing bridge was retained, including the recently constructed active transport portals through the approaches, and serves as a crossing for light rail, pedestrians and emergency vehicles only (i.e. no general road traffic).<ref>{{Cite web|title=EIS Navigator {{!}} Home {{!}} Parramatta Light Rail|url=http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/eis-navigator|access-date=2020-11-04|website=www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au}}</ref>

== Heritage listing ==

Lennox Bridge is one of Parramatta's most important historic structures, and one of the earliest bridges in New South Wales and Australia. It is an example of the work of notable engineer David Lennox. The site possesses potential to contribute to an understanding of early urban development in Parramatta. The bridge is both historically and technically significant, and is rare.<ref name=nswshr-750/>

Lennox Bridge, Parramatta was listed on the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] on 2 April 1999.<ref name=nswshr-750/>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Transport|Engineering}}}}
* [[List of bridges in Sydney]]
* [[Historic bridges of New South Wales]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Attribution ===
{{NSW-SHR-CC-contains|name=Lennox Bridge|dno=5051414|id=00750|year=2018|accessdate=2 June 2018}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lennox Bridge, Parramatta}}
*{{cite web|author=Kass, Terry|title=RTA Thematic History: A component of the RTA Heritage and Conservation Register|url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/environment/thematic-history-rta2006.pdf|type=PDF|work=[[Roads & Maritime Services|NSW Roads & Maritime Services]]|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|date=February 2006|edition=2nd |access-date=12 January 2015}}

{{Convicts in Australia}}
{{Bridges in Sydney |state=autocollapse}}
{{Road infrastructure in Sydney |state=autocollapse}}
{{Geography of Parramatta River}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1802]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1839]]
[[Category:Deck arch bridges]]
[[Category:Bridges in Sydney]]
[[Category:Transport infrastructure in Parramatta]]
[[Category:Sandstone bridges in Australia]]
[[Category:Convictism in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Streets in Sydney]]
[[Category:History of New South Wales]]
[[Category:1839 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:New South Wales State Heritage Register]]
[[Category:Road bridges in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Stone arch bridges in Australia]]