If you’ve ever driven from Lismore toward Tenterfield, you would have driven over the rickety one lane bridge at Tabulam – sometimes having to wait for the cars coming from the other direction before crossing.

Now, your last chance to walk over the old, historic Tabulam Bridge is this weekend.

Next week, the bridge is set to be demolished - now that construction of the new bridge is complete.

Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki invites people to celebrate the old and the new – with the old bridge open to pedestrian traffic from 1pm Sunday, October 4 to 6pm Monday October 5 - before it is removed.

“The community is also invited to take a walk across the new bridge, opened to traffic last month, via the pedestrian access incorporated into its design,” Ms Zycki said.

“This event will give the community an opportunity to bid farewell to the old bridge and also a chance to take a close look at the new bridge.”

History

The 300-metre timber truss bridge was built between 1899 and 1903 across the Clarence River on the Bruxner Highway at Tabulam between Casino and Tenterfield.

The historic State-heritage listed bridge was the longest single span timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. It was one of the first to use significant amounts of steel and iron - despite its high cost and the government's historical preference for timber. In 1998 it was still in good condition.

Completed in 1903, the bridge is an early example of a DeBurgh timber truss road bridge and represented the expansion of the road network and economic activity in NSW.

Reuse

Ms Zycki said the Transport for NSW project team is also working closely with local Council, local museums and the school to reuse some timber elements of the original bridge.

“The local community is being urged to share their memories, paintings and photos of the old bridge to include in a commemorative e-book,” Ms Zycki said.

Contributions to the commemorative project can be made emailing tabulambridge.community@georgiou.com.au or by calling 1800 314 530.