55-697: Clackline Bridge is a road bridge in Clackline, Western Australia , 77 kilometres (48 mi) east of Perth in the Shire of Northam , that carried the Great Eastern Highway until 2008. It is the only bridge in Western Australia to have spanned both a waterway and railway, the Clackline Brook and the former Eastern Railway alignment. The mainly timber bridge has a unique curved and sloped design, due to
110-556: A distance of 8.75 metres (28.7 ft) between kerbs, a deck area of 119.73 square metres (1,288.8 sq ft), and maximum span length of 14.2 metres (47 ft). As of 2008, it is the only bridge in Western Australia to have crossed both a railway line and a waterway. The settlement of Clackline began as a stopping point on the Spencers Brook to Northam section of the Eastern Railway line, which opened on 13 October 1886. It
165-445: A distance of less than 20 miles (32 km). By the end of World War I , technology such as the internal combustion engine had advanced considerably. Following the war, there was a tenfold increase in the number of motor vehicles in Western Australia, from 2,538 in 1918 to 25,270 in 1927. Motor transport was very efficient compared to horse-drawn vehicles, and also more efficient than railways for short distances. In 1923, recognising
220-650: A highway bypass of Clackline and the Clackline Bridge began in the 1990s, and it was constructed between January 2007 and February 2008. The local community had been concerned that the historic bridge would be lost, but it remains in use as part of the local road network, and has been listed on both the Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory and the Heritage Council of Western Australia 's Register of Heritage Places. The Clackline Refractory
275-456: A large box culvert , giving vehicles a safer crossing than Clackline Bridge. Clackline, Western Australia Clackline is a locality in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia , about 80 kilometres (50 mi) east-north-east of Perth . John Forrest , later Premier of Western Australia , recorded the name Clackline in 1879 but the origin of the word is unknown. A settlement
330-447: A local post office. In 2018 they canvassed community support, which was strong, so volunteers cleaned up and opened a community post office. Clackline is located within the Shire of Northam . It is within the state electorate of Central Wheatbelt , and federal Division of Pearce . Clackline is reliant on the road network as the only available means of transportation. It is situated alongside Great Eastern Highway , which has bypassed
385-511: A rudimentary water crossing. Construction began in January 1935, and was completed relatively quickly, with the opening ceremony held in August 1935. The bridge has undergone various improvement and maintenance works since then, including widening by three metres (10 ft) in 1959–60, but remained a safety hazard, with increasing severity and numbers of accidents through the 1970s and 1980s. Planning for
440-410: A safety hazard, with increasing severity and numbers of accidents through the 1970s and 1980s. Planning for a highway bypass of Clackline and the Clackline Bridge began in the 1990s, and it was constructed between January 2007 and February 2008. The local community had been concerned that the historic bridge would be lost, but it remains in use as part of the local road network, and has been listed on both
495-543: A venue for community events, such as farmers markets and weddings, and now serves as the community post office. It is located south of Great Eastern Highway, opposite the old general store site, but a walking trail passing under the highway connects to the remains of the Clackline railway station. After the general store and local post office closed, the Clackline Progress Association decided the community needed
550-525: Is a heritage listed brickworks site in Clackline, located on Refractory Road in a valley near Great Eastern Highway . An abundant supply of fine quality clay was discovered in Clackline in 1898, which led to the establishment of a quarry and refractory. By 1901, the industry was important to Western Australia, with the brick products from Clackline used by multiple government departments, the Fremantle Gas and Coke Company , and many goldmines. Other users of
605-454: Is a historic road bridge in Clackline that carried the Great Eastern Highway until 2008. It is the only bridge in Western Australia to have spanned both a waterway and railway, the Clackline Brook and the former Eastern Railway alignment. The mainly timber bridge has a unique curved and sloped design, due to the difficult topography and the route of the former railway. The bridge was designed in 1934 to replace two dangerous rail crossings and
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#1732898770543660-467: Is located on the low side of Avro Anson Road, in a small park approximately five kilometres (3.1 mi) south-east of Clackline. The memorial, assembled by members of the local community in the months following the crash, features a cairn of granite and boulders supporting a jarrah cross. The names and details of the deceased airmen − Flying Officer Lynton Birt, Sergeant Geoffrey Debenham, Sergeant Noel Nixon, and Sergeant Kenneth Hugo − are carved into
715-639: Is on Refractory Road. In the 2021 census , Clackline had an estimated population of 330 people. The Clackline area produces some of the highest grade export hay (oaten) in Australia, and is home to wine growing ventures and an olive grove producing extra virgin olive oils . There are several historic sites, including heritage listed sites, located in and around the Clackline townsite. The Avro Anson Memorial commemorates four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airmen killed when their Avro Anson aircraft crashed near Clackline on 9 October 1942. The memorial site
770-758: The Main Roads Act 1930 (WA). As at June 2021, it manages 18,695 kilometres (11,617 mi) of roads, representing the arterial road network in Western Australia . Each of the roads must be declared a "public highway" or "main road" in the Western Australian Government Gazette and is allocated a highway or main road number – many roads perceived as main roads by the public are in fact managed by local councils . Main Roads Western Australia also regulates heavy vehicles through
825-813: The Muresk Institute . In addition to the statewide newspapers The West Australian and The Sunday Times , Clackline is served by the Northam-based Avon Valley Advocate . Main Roads Western Australia Main Roads Western Australia (formerly the Main Roads Department) is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia that is responsible for implementing the state's policies on road access and main roads. It operates under
880-500: The Swan River Colony in the late 1820s. Prior to this, narrow bush tracks had been used by the local Aboriginal people. In 1871, local governments were established, often called Road Boards in rural areas. Their primary function was to create and maintain the roads network in their local areas. Most of these rural roads, especially in the Wheatbelt , connected farms to the state government's extensive rail network, usually covering
935-415: The "screaming brakes of cars and hiss of airbrakes" were often heard at night in Clackline. After each accident, damaged sections of the bridge – usually the guardrails, handrails, or bridge entry section – needed to be repaired. A 1989 prime mover accident severely damaged the footpath. Rather than repair the narrow footpath, and given that the railway had been removed, a new pedestrian path was constructed on
990-482: The Avon Valley route of the Eastern Railway was opened. Clackline is in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) east-north-east of Perth, and 17 kilometres (11 mi) south-west of Northam . Clackline Brook is an 11.6-kilometre-long (7.2 mi) waterway that runs from near Clackline towards Mokine before turning north and ending near Mokine Hill. Clackline Nature Reserve
1045-659: The CENTENARY of the BRITISH COLONISATION OF WEST AUSTRALIA MDCCCXXIX ; MDCCCCXXIX A D. E.W.MEMBERY. H.T. The sculptor of the lion was Archie H Paton, who has since been recognised with a nearby plaque. It is a stopping point on the Kep Track , adjacent to a picnic area and toilets. A restored rail carriage, serving as a museum, was installed by the now-defunct Clackline Railway Committee. The railway carriage has been used as
1100-550: The Clackline works commence, especially since works at nearby Northam had almost been finished. Main Roads engineer Ernest Godfrey completed a design for the Clackline Deviation, a single bridge over the waterway and railway, in August 1934. Godfrey was the first bridge engineer for Main Roads, and is credited with introducing concrete and steel bridges into Western Australia; however, for Clackline Bridge, he proposed using timber –
1155-442: The Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory and the Heritage Council of Western Australia 's Register of Heritage Places. Clackline Bridge is a timber bridge spanning the Clackline Brook and the former Eastern Railway alignment, in the Shire of Northam , 77 kilometres (48 mi) east of Perth . Constrained by the topography of the site, the route of the Eastern Railway tracks, and the previous alignment of Great Eastern Highway ,
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#17328987705431210-402: The Northam Municipal Heritage Inventory, in category C – "conserve if possible". In that same year, it was included in an Institute of Engineers survey of the state's large timber structures, as a current structure with "very high heritage value". By this time Great Eastern Highway's bypass of Clackline was being planned, but maintenance works continued to be undertaken as needed. The bypass
1265-769: The Railways Department's requirement that the route not be too close to the Toodyay railway line (a spur line off the Eastern Railway) that ran parallel to the highway. This shift increased the curve radius, but required "the destruction of some well developed pine trees inside the old boundary fence of the [Clackline School] playground". Construction was undertaken by Main Roads Department day labourers , starting in January 1935, as part of an unemployment relief works program. The Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR)
1320-560: The accidents, and there was roughness in the road surface between the original and widened sections. A reinforced concrete overlay was installed on the bridge in 1978, initially with a single coat surface , but then upgraded to a 40-millimetre-thick (1.6 in) bituminous concrete surface in 1987. The 1980s saw the closure and removal of the Perth–Northam railway line, as well a number of major and sometimes fatal accidents involving prime movers . There were also several car accidents, and
1375-742: The bricks included the Railway Department, the Perth Gas Company , the Fremantle smelter, and the Great Boulder Perseverance Company. The Clackline Refractory also supplied bricks for the nearby pumping stations for the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme . As of 2012 , the site is in poor condition and mostly deserted, apart from stacks of various ceramic products. As well as kilns suitable for modern-day production,
1430-520: The bridge has a unique curved and sloping design. It has 18 spans over a 126-metre (413 ft) length, with a 1 in 20 slope and a horizontal curve radius of 400 metres (1,300 ft). There are 18 numbered piers , starting from pier 1 at the eastern end. The double tracks of the Eastern Railway, which linked Perth and Northam until its removal in 1981, passed between piers 16 and 17. Piers 14 to 17 are parallel to that former railway, at an angle of approximately 40 degrees to
1485-519: The bridge was Millington's car, carrying himself and Bert Hawke on the front bumper, and a small boy who decided to take a ride on the rear bumper. Afterwards, there was an official lunchtime party in Northam, hosted by the Northam Roads Board . Within two decades the bridge was considered a safety hazard, due to increased traffic volume, speed, and truck sizes. The primary concerns were deficiency in
1540-536: The bridge. This resulted in spans of various lengths: 7.6 metres (25 ft) heading out from the western abutment, then a 14-metre (46 ft) span between piers 16 and 17, followed by a 4.8-metre (16 ft) length, two 5.2-metre-long (17 ft) spans, and 13 spans of 6 metres (20 ft). The bridge has undergone multiple alterations, but the original piers remain. They were constructed as "four rounded braced wandoo piles supported from horizontal 450mm timber sills, adzed to 400mm, fixed to concrete footings", with
1595-419: The connecting bolts in the structure have been replaced, and a concrete approach slab was installed at the western end. In 2008, the bridge was assessed as being in a well-maintained condition. Main Roads Western Australia identifies Clackline Bridge as Structure Number 0608. As of 2014, the bridge dimensions are recorded as 133.6 metres (438 ft) in length and 8.98 metres (29.5 ft) in width, with
1650-528: The cross. Over the years, the memorial was forgotten and lost, overgrown by shrubs and trees. Upon its rediscovery in the early 1980s, the memorial's history and significance were researched, and it was restored in 1984 by volunteers from the Perth branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association. Since then, the association has held annual memorial services at the site. Clackline Bridge
1705-440: The difficult topography and the route of the former railway. The bridge was designed in 1934 to replace two dangerous rail crossings and a rudimentary water crossing. Construction began in January 1935, and was completed relatively quickly, with the opening ceremony held in August 1935. The bridge has undergone various improvement and maintenance works since then, including widening by three metres (10 ft) in 1959–60, but remained
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1760-615: The flooded road by driving along the railway line, but such practice was described by the Royal Automobile Club as "highly dangerous" and "against the railway regulations". The Main Roads Department had been considering completing the remaining improvements in November 1933, but the flooding made the situation more urgent. It prompted Bert Hawke , MLA for Northam , to write to the Commissioner for Main Roads, E. W. Tindale, urging that
1815-405: The footings designed to bear on foundation rocks one and a half metres (4 ft 11 in) beneath the surface. The bridge's original spans were made up of seven rounded timber wandoo stringers, of at least 400 millimetres (16 in) diameter, bearing on jarrah corbels, supported by jarrah half caps 600 by 150 millimetres (23.6 by 5.9 in) in size. The 14-metre-long (46 ft) span over
1870-539: The ground below the bridge. A bushfire burnt through the area in December 1993, destroying the former railway's bridge over Clackline Brook. Clackline Bridge survived, weakened but in a reasonable condition. The damage included internal expansion joints that had failed, split bedlogs, and other deteriorated timbers. Steel props were installed to support the bridge, and the substructure was repaired in 1995, which mainly involved replacing connecting bolts. A concrete approach slab
1925-584: The importance of road transportation, the Federal Government began granting a combined total of £500,000 per year to the state governments for road improvement works. In 1926, the funding level was increased, with Western Australia allocated £672,000. The Roads and Bridges Branch of the State Government's Public Works Department was not able to spend such a large amount of money, so a Main Roads Board
1980-517: The issue of permits and notices under the authority granted to the Commissioner of Main Roads under the Road Traffic Act 1974. The Road Transport Compliance Section, a section within the Department, employs Transport Inspectors who, alongside police officers, monitor heavy vehicle movement and enforce the Road Traffic Act 1974. The first roads in Western Australia were built during the settlement of
2035-465: The previous Causeway structure. The work was undertaken from a suspended platform, which had to be quickly pulled up when trains went past. The widening, designed by Main Road's second bridge engineer Gilbert Marsh, cost approximately £20,000. Clackline Bridge continued to be a safety concern, with several accidents occurring in the 1970s. The narrow road and small curve radius were considered major factors in
2090-422: The railway alignment was originally supported on four 610-by-190-millimetre (24.0 by 7.5 in) steel beams, weighing 41 kilograms (90 lb) each. Various aspects of Clackline Bridge have since been modified. Originally five and a half metres (18 ft) wide, with a 1.1-metre-wide (3.5 ft) footpath, the bridge was widened by three metres (9.8 ft), with two additional piles installed at each pier. At
2145-416: The railway line twice, and Clackline Brook via a small bedlog bridge , in the vicinity of the town, but the rail crossings were "awkwardly and dangerously situated in regard to road traffic, owing to limited visibility", and the water crossing was described in 1935 as "a primitive and inadequate culvert". Though the need to improve this section of road was recognised in 1926, funding was limited. Only part of
2200-445: The required improvement work was undertaken, and included rerouting the highway along Lockyer Road, resuming several town lots, and resurfacing the road, at a cost of £8000. In March 1934, torrential rain caused widespread flooding in the Wheatbelt , affecting Northam, Toodyay, York, Beverley, and surrounding areas. Rail services were disrupted, and main roads were cut off at many points, including at Clackline. Some cars managed to bypass
2255-429: The same time the railway span was strengthened, with eight additional steel beams installed, and steel plates welded to the flanges of the existing girders. The approaches to the bridge were also widened, over a length of 150 metres (490 ft) to the west, and 60 metres (200 ft) to the east. The timber decking was upgraded to a concrete slab that has been repaired a number of times, especially around pier 13. Some of
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2310-481: The site has older kilns constructed from bricks, with corrugated iron roofs supported by metal poles. Alongside these structures is a large brick chimney. In 1929, Clackline School 's students and headteacher, E.W.Membery commemorated the 100th anniversary of British colonisation by building a monument. The monument features a sculpture of a lion, with a plaque reading: ERECTED by the PUPILS of CLACKLINE to COMMEMORATE
2365-408: The standard material for the preceding hundred years – with steel construction only for the longer span over the railway. He also suggested that a footpath be included on the bridge, so that schoolchildren and other pedestrians would have a safer railway crossing. The cost was estimated at £8500, plus an additional £700 for the footpath. The initial design was moved 10 feet (3.0 m) south, to satisfy
2420-456: The townsite since February 2008. The highway connects traffic south-west to Perth, and north-east to Northam and beyond. Other important roads in the area are Clackline–Toodyay Road, leading north to Toodyay , and Spencers Brook Road, heading south-east to Spencers Brook and then on to York . Clackline historically had its own primary school, until the late 1970s. Clackline School , later known as Clackline Primary School, opened in 1896, and
2475-559: The unemployed throughout the 1930s in road construction. Large groups of men spent one or two weeks in camps, constructing roads. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, a smaller labour force undertook works for Main Roads, which were primarily for military purposes, such as aerodromes and parade grounds. The late 1940s were a boom-time for Main Roads. Government funding and support increased, and new equipment such as power graders, front-end loaders, and large trucks allowed work to be undertaken more efficiently. The amount of work meant there
2530-451: The wake of the accidents of the 1970s and 1980s, replacement of Clackline Bridge seemed inevitable; however, both Main Roads and the Shire of Northam received letters from residents asking for the bridge to be kept. In 1988, the Shire requested that Main Roads note the preservation value of the bridge, and retain it in any plans for road realignment. A decade later, in 1998, the bridge was placed on
2585-427: The width and curve radius. The bridge was strengthened as well as widened in 1959–60. Removing the footpath and using that space for the road had been suggested, but instead the structure itself was widened by ten feet (3.0 m), leaving the footpath intact. The approaches to the bridges were widened, new piers were erected either side of the railway span, and eight new girders were installed – six of which were part of
2640-463: Was also the point where the road to Newcastle (now Toodyay ) departed the Perth to Kalgoorlie road. Both the road and railway crossed the adjacent Clackline Brook. In 1926, the newly formed Main Roads Department's Engineer for Roads and Bridges, A. Fotheringham, described the majority of the Wooroloo to Clackline road as "simply a bush track widened out from time to time by the traffic". The road crossed
2695-574: Was dissolved, and replaced by a Commissioner of Main Roads, the first of which was Edward Tindale. All the district offices were closed down, with the workers laid off. The number of staff in Perth was reduced from 107 to 41, and salaries were also lowered. In 1930, the Main Roads Act came into effect and re-established the board as the Main Roads Department. Main Roads was able to provide work for
2750-446: Was established in July 1926. The board worked in cooperation with local governments, taking over the development of significant roads, and providing assistance for others. District offices were set up in regional areas to better coordinate work undertaken there, and liaise with those local governments. The Great Depression , which started in 1929, brought chaos into the new system. The Board
2805-585: Was established in the 1880s, being at the junction of the Perth-Newcastle Road and the township was gazetted in 1896. It has also been known as Clackline Junction for the road and the rail junction. It was an important junction for the Eastern Railway lines to Northam , and Toodyay on the Clackline–Miling railway branch . The railway service through Clackline was closed in 1966 at the time
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#17328987705432860-482: Was eventually constructed, with works beginning in January 2007, and the project completed in February 2008. The Clackline community welcomed the bypass, but there were still concerns that the historic Clackline Bridge would be lost. The bridge has since received a permanent entry on the Heritage Council of Western Australia 's Register of Heritage Places, in November 2008. The new highway alignment crosses Clackline Brook on
2915-636: Was extended and renovated several times before relocating in 1954 to a new site on the same road. The school was closed down in 1976, but in 1980 became the temporary location of the Avon Valley Church's school. Since then, the closest primary schools to Clackline are in Northam, Bakers Hill and Wundowie . The nearest high schools as well as further education campuses are located in Northam: Northam Senior High School , St Joseph's High School , C. Y. O'Connor College of TAFE , and
2970-485: Was installed adjacent to the western abutment in 1998, and in 2013 the concrete deck near pier 13 was repaired. Clackline Bridge was the crossing point for Great Eastern Highway until the highway's bypass of Clackline opened in February 2008. The bridge remains open to traffic, as part of the local road network. In July 2012 it once more carried highway traffic, excluding heavy vehicles , when an accident temporarily closed Great Eastern Highway at Spencers Brook Road. In
3025-514: Was involved in various aspects of the project – some railway land acquisition was required, and WAGR supplied and supervised a five-ton crane, used to erect the railway span girders. The bridge was completed less than one year after construction began, which would later be described as "a considerable achievement of the management and workforce for such a complex structure". Clackline Bridge was opened on 30 August 1935 by Acting Minister for Works H. Millington, having cost £9000. The first vehicle to cross
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