Construction of the section from Wetheron to Gayndah began in March 1906 using day labour. The Deep Creek crossing posed engineering difficulties.[2] Completion of the line was delayed building two bridges of special designs over gorges between Ideraway and Gayndah including Steep Rocky Creek (the other being Ideraway Creek Railway Bridge).
Drawings for the bridge were signed by Chief Engineer, William Pagan.[3] It was designed to carry the heaviest locomotives in operation at the time.[2] On-site construction was overseen by Pagan.[2] Construction of the bridge was completed in 1907 and the extension was opened for traffic on 16 December 1907.[1]
Description
Steep Rocky Creek bridge includes one 26-foot (7.9 m) RSJspan of three joists, five 28-foot (8.5 m) concrete arches and a final 26-foot (7.9 m) RSJ span of three joists, supported on six concrete piers and two abutments.[1]
Heritage listing
Steep Rocky Creek Railway Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.
The bridge has an innovative design with reinforced discontinuous wall-type arches, the first of its type in Australia and the fifth concrete arch rail bridge in Australia.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.
The bridge has an innovative design with reinforced discontinuous wall-type arches, the first of its type in Australia and the fifth concrete arch rail bridge in Australia.[1]
The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.
The bridge is associated with Chief Engineer William Pagan.[1]
Degilbo-Mundubbera Railway Bridges in October 2016. A total of 12 bridges that are situated on the Mungar Junction to Monto railway line, including the Steep Rocky Creek Railway Bridge, are recognized with one Engineering Heritage Marker representing the “best example of a collection of historic railway bridges in Australia”.[4][5]