Coastal traffic grew, and copper was first mined at Mount Perry in 1871, which enabled Bundaberg to develop as a port and supply centre, in spite of competition from Maryborough for this trade.

[1] Although the higher southern bank of the Burnett River was officially surveyed as the town site, both sides developed and were initially linked only by ferry.

Prior to 1872, the creek prevented the movement of vehicular traffic between the town of Bundaberg and the Woongarra Division to the east.

The difficulty was solved when local property owner, Walter Adams, assisted the project by deliberately underbidding.

[1] It was officially opened on Tuesday 26 March 1878 by the Queensland Governor, Arthur Kennedy, after whom the bridge was named.

Handsome and substantial masonry buildings began to rise in the city as evidence of its growing importance and prosperity.

It was funded under the Local Works Loan Act of 1880 and the Bundaberg Town Council and Woongarra Divisional Board bore two-thirds of its cost.

[1] Flanking the entrances to the bridge and rising above the trusses are L-shaped concrete pylons, square in appearance from the roadway.

[1] Kennedy Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

It is an important example of its type and is similar to, and closely associated with, the Burnett River Bridge, which was opened in 1900.

[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.