SYDNEY LIVING MUSEUMS

Archaeologist documenting exposed structure.JPG

Man on excavated bridge surface with digger in background.

Archaeologist documenting exposed structure. Photo Richard Taylor © Sydney Living Museums

Beulah bridge archaeology

By Richard Taylor Friday 27 February 2015

The civil works contractor and archaeologist working on the reinstatement of the Beulah road and bridge are continuing to reveal and document the original structures.

Work has now moved to the bridge where an excavator has been used to carefully scrape back the topsoil to uncover the surviving original fabric. The initial scrapes revealed the ends of the deck that was formed to repair the bridge after WW2. The deck is constructed of timber decking boards bolted to recycled steel railway tracks which bridged the two abutments, this structure was laid over the top of the original timber joists and decking and was obviously undertaken when the original deck and joists lost their structural integrity.

Excavator clearing away topsoil off bridge.JPG

Men in high vis clothing with digger on old bridge.

Excavator clearing away topsoil off bridge. Photo Richard Taylor © Sydney Living Museums

After being documented by the archaeologist the decking and joists will be carefully lifted out of the bridge abutments and stacked on site near to the bridge. SLM hopes that two of the original timber joists will be strong enough that they can be reincorporated back into the new bridge structure. The reincorporated joists would be positioned on the edges of the new bridge structure where they would be subjected to minimal weight loading.

Post WWII bridge deck timbers and recycled railway tracks exposed.JPG

Section of road over bridge that has been cleared to show underlying structures.

Post World War II bridge deck timbers and recycled railway tracks exposed. Photo Richard Taylor © Sydney Living Museums

Old farmhouse with atmospheric sky above.

Background on Beulah

Beulah, on Appin Road south of Campbelltown, is a unique property that combines elements of both heritage and environmental significance.

About the Author

Portrait view of man in black long sleeved shirt with arms crossed against background of old building.

Richard Taylor

Former Project Manager

Heritage Team

Richard Taylor was a project manager in the heritage team at Sydney Living Museums.

See full profile

Foundation

Annual Appeal 2019Monday 6 May 2019

Our museums are held ‘in trust’ for future generations and we must preserve them to ensure a future as valuable as their past. We can do this with your support through our Annual Appeal 2019.

Exterior shot looking up very tall buildings.

Sydney Open

Become part of Sydney Open 2019: EOI now openWednesday 27 March 2019

Our exciting program for Sydney Open 2019 will open even more buildings and spaces that are usually off-limits to the public, alongside new talks and tour experiences. To be part of it all, we invite you to submit an expression of interest by 30 April.