Upper Colo Bridge

The timber Upper Colo Bridge across the Colo River at Upper Colo, New South Wales was opened on 27 June 1936. The bridge connected the locality of Upper Colo with Colo Heights about 5 kilometres north via the Colo Heights Road. This road intersects the Putty Road just west of Colo Heights Public School. In 1936, the road from Richmond to Singleton in the Hunter Valley was known as the Bulga Road. The current route through Putty was not put through until the early years of World War Two.

The Upper Colo Bridge over the Colo River at Upper Colo NSW withstood many floods since it was opened in June 1936, however it was extensively damaged in the flood from 20 March 2021. Cathy McHardy March 2009

In January of 1936, the company Solomon, Duffy and Solomon won the tender for the construction at a cost of £1587 pounds and 17 shillings. Over 46 tons of ironbark timber was carried by train to Kurrajong Railway Station and then transported to the site. Funding for the project came in part from a grant given to Colo Shire Council by the NSW government. The total cost including road works on either side of the river amounted to £3,000.

The Windsor and Richmond Gazette reported on the official opening celebration. The NSW Minister for Works and Local Government, the Hon E S Spooner accompanied by his wife, cut the ribbon in the prescence of about 200 local residents. Also in attendance the President of Colo Shire Council Cr A Buckland.

In the style of “Captain De Groot”, a visitor to the area attempted to pre-empt the official ceremony by cutting the ribbon and declaring the bridge open himself! The interloper was hauled off the bridge by locals and a new piece of ribbon placed across the structure.

The bridge was extensively damaged in the flood from 20 March 2021. Parts of the decking were washed completely away and the bridge remained closed until the opening of the new structure.

See also posts and photos on the Upper Colo Community page - Upper Colo Community Page on Facebook

Images of the broken Upper Colo Bridge damaged in the flood of March 2021. Cathy McHardy 18 June 2021

UPDATES on the repair or replacement of Upper Colo Bridge are available from Hawkesbury City Council - https://www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/fih2021 The decision has been made to replace the bridge with a concrete structure -

Design of the new concrete bridge and the Review of Environmental Factors are now complete. The new bridge will provide for single lane traffic access similar to the existing bridge with an allowance for a separate pedestrian access path along the bridge. Council remains on track to deliver the replacement bridge in 2022. The tender process for construction works is due to run from 18 January 2022 to 15 February 2022.

A heritage interpretation strategy is being formed with the assistance of heritage and ecology consultants Biosis to identify the best way to recognise the importance of the bridge. This could involve salvaging the remaining timbers to be used in a nearby community art or history installation.

Council will present the draft strategy to the community early in 2022 for feedback.

In February 2023, the new concrete bridge is in the process of being constructed and there are plans to use the old bridge timbers in an interpretive history installation. The concrete decking for the new structure was poured on 24 March 2023 commencing on the southern side, the contractor was Menai Civil Contractors Pty Ltd.

Concrete decking spanning the new bridge from Renewing Hawkesbury’s Roads Community Update - 6 April 2023

The new concrete bridge was officially opened on Sunday 2 July 2023 from 11.30am. Festivities included free pizza, coffee, donuts, yard games, face painting and live music.

Invitation to the opening of the new bridge, July 2023. Hawkesbury City Council June 2023

Upper Colo approach to the new Upper Colo Bridge which was officially opened to traffic on 2 July 2023. Cathy McHardy August 2023

Colo Heights approach of the new bridge which was constructed at a cost of 3 million dollars. Cathy McHardy August 2023

View of riverbank on Colo Heights side with seating repurposed from some of the timbers of the old bridge and interpretive signage. Cathy McHardy August 2023

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