Border Bridge

The Border Bridge, also known as the MacIntyre Bridge, is a historic steel bridge spanning the MacIntyre River, connecting Queensland and New South Wales at Goondiwindi.History and ConstructionThe first bridge at Goondiwindi was a wooden structure built between 1879 and 1880, which survived the major flood of 1890. Before this, goods were transported across the river using a punt pulled by rope. The current steel Border Bridge was constructed in 1914-1915 by the Queensland and New South Wales governments, taking 16 months to complete. It replaced the timber bridge and became a key crossing for stock, wool, and general freight between the two states, where customs duties were collected .Structure and DesignThe bridge consists of two 120-foot steel spans with hogbacked lattice girders, braced overhead with steel latticework. The roadway is 20 feet wide and elevated above the highest known flood level, ensuring durability and safety during floods. The construction cost was jointly funded by both states, with Queensland taking responsibility for the project .SignificanceThe Border Bridge served as the main hub for freight and stock crossing between Queensland and New South Wales until 1992, when a new concrete bridge upstream replaced it as the primary access point. Despite no longer being the main crossing, the bridge remains a landmark of Goondiwindi, reflecting the town's historical role as a border community .Visiting TodayVisitors can walk or drive across the bridge, appreciating its historical significance and engineering design. It is located on Gunsynd Way, Goondiwindi 4390, and continues to be a point of interest for both locals and tourists exploring the region . The Border Bridge stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering and the historical economic and social connections between Queensland and New South Wales.