Morpeth Bridge

Artist: Naomi Frost
previous browse art next

Morpeth Bridge

Completed in 1898, Morpeth bridge is the oldest surviving example of an overhead braced Allan truss road bridge in service, and is one of three surviving overhead braced timber truss road bridges in NSW. Most of its engineering details are intact, and the bridge is in good condition.

Allan trusses were a major development which superseded the McDonald truss bridges which preceded them, and were an extremely successful design. Major innovations were made in the areas of maintenance, cost of construction, and the achievable span length. The bridge has a high degree of technical significance.

Timber truss bridges were important in the development of the road network in NSW. Before the construction of these bridges, river crossings were often treacherous, and an impediment to efficient transport. Through this, the expansion of rural NSW, particularly the mining and agricultural sectors, was facilitated.

The bridge has a historical association with Percy Allan, senior bridge designer at the Public Works Department, and is important to the history of Morpeth.

Morpeth Bridge is located in the Hunter region, which has 15 historic bridges each constructed before 1905, and it gains heritage significance from its proximity to the high concentration of other historic bridges in the area.

In 1998 there were 38 surviving Allan trusses in NSW of the 105 built, and 82 timber truss road bridges survive from the over 400 built.

Morpeth bridge is a representative example of overhead braced Allan timber truss road bridges, and is assessed as being Nationally significant, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance.

Morpeth Bridge belongs to the following groups:

Infrared Photography and Newcastle NSW, Lake Macquarie & Surrounding Region

K.D. Hemi

Awesome… actually quite breathtaking!
Naomi Frost

Gee, Thanks, Karl.
margo

This is great Naomi. Nice composition and colouring. It looks a bit like the bridge at Morpeth. Am I on the right track?
Naomi Frost

You are absolutely spot on, margo. Well done. Taken at Morpeth today.
Basia McAuley

Another great image!! You are so good! Love the comp. and framing but I can’t keep my eyes of the two round holes in the bridge, my eye just keeps coming back to them,
Antanas

Great work!!! Perfect b&w job!
Jaytee

yeah i see what you mean about the two holes Basia. A very cool icey affect & the dark shades in the water looks amazing well done.
Naomi Frost

I know what you mean about the holes Basia….that’s what caught my eye too.
Naomi Frost

Thanks heaps, Antanas.
Naomi Frost

Thanks so much, Jodi. I appreciate your comments.
Paul Tupman

Great work Naomi.. I love this bridge.. what a structure! You never see bridges like this in the UK, and yes, those holes are real eye catchers! It’s great how the dark water is framed by the lightness of the grass at the base of the shot.. really good IR effect..
Naomi Frost

Thanks a lot, Paul.
Not too many of these bridges left here either. I had a shot with and without the grass at the bottom and thought that this one was much better – the grass did frame it nicely.
John Cole

just one word “WOW!!”
SpaceCadet34

Well done Naomi !!!
Naomi Frost

Gee, thanks, John.
Naomi Frost

Thank you, Mario.
RichardV

The IR gives it a wintery frosty look. Nicely done. And yes…I AM singing that song….
Naomi Frost

Thanks for the comment, Richard. Sorry about the song.
sally williams

This is great Naomi
PhotogeniquE IPA

aarrgghh – too late ….................. are together on my piano…......................... darn!

love the strange effect on the foreground grasses. they almost look transparent
Halcyon007

No, still singing Men At Work LOL!

Great composition and I love how the water’s turned out
Nikki Mulkern

This is beautiful,wonderful composition!
Kimberly Palmer

Stunning Naomi!
Heather Rivet...

well done
Deborah Parkin

this is fantastic – wonderful ink black water and the grass at the front is like a negative – perfect composition too.
Michelle Hitt

Beautifully shot – what an awesome structure.

:-)
Naomi Frost

Thanks so much everybody. I’m so pleased you all like this. Thanks for the wonderful comments.
rossco

Awesome.Looks like Morpeth Bridge.
Naomi Frost

Thanks, Rossco – it is Morpeth bridge.
Heather Davies

I’m singing!!! Great shot, love the strong line of the bridge and that dark water is wonderful, I had lots of rain and wind where I was too!! :D
Naomi Frost

Thanks, Heather..it’s still raining here…
Tracy Flugel

great composition, I keep coming back to the supports. Very crisp feel to the photo.
Naomi Frost

Thanks, chrys.
Trace Lowe

Excellent bridge shot in IR
Naomi Frost

Thanks, Trace.
EarthGipsy

Beautiful image Naomi! Top 10 Congrats from me!