Algebuckina Bridge

Located in the locality of Allandale Station, about 55 km southeast of the town of Oodnadatta in the Australian state of South Australia, is the historic Algebuckina Bridge.

First opened in January 1892, it was constructed during the Victorian era and was the longest bridge in South Australia until 2014. This remarkable feat of engineering was constructed by a team of around 350 men who worked tirelessly in the extreme desert heat.

The Algebuckina Bridge boasts an impressive length of 1,927 feet (587 m) and consists of 19 spans, each with a length of 100 feet (30 m), which are constructed using lattice wrought iron. The bridge stands on cast iron cylindrical piers and was strengthened in 1926 to be able to carry heavier trains. Despite its age, the bridge still stands strong and is a testament to the quality of its construction.

The bridge spans the floodplain of the Neales River, which is susceptible to seasonal flooding, and replaced a surface-level railway that was frequently washed away. The floodwaters almost reached the deck of this magnificent structure in 1974. The railway line was finally closed in 1981 after the construction of a new route 100 miles west of the Algebuckina Bridge, rendering it obsolete in contemporary times.

Despite its lack of current use, the Algebuckina Bridge remains of great historical significance to the region. Constructed during an era of imperial expansion and incredible innovation in railway engineering, it stands testament to the skills and determination of the workers who built it. The bridge is also an important memorial site, with graves nearby honoring those who lost their lives during its construction. David Saunders, who died of “heart disease accelerated