[3] Timber truss road bridges were extensively used in New South Wales because of the high quality of local hardwoods and the shortage of steel during the early decades of settlement of the state.

It was built between 1893 and 1894 by the NSW Department of Public Works and crosses Tunks Creek in Galston Gorge, east of Hornsby.

The bridge width is 5 metres (15 ft) between kerbs and at both ends the approach road turns sharply at right angles.

[1] The Tunks Creek bridge was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

Prior to the bridges being built, river crossings were often dangerous in times of rain, which caused bulk freight movement to be prohibitively expensive for most agricultural and mining produce.

Only the high priced wool clip of the time was able to carry the costs and inconvenience imposed by the generally inadequate river crossings that often existed prior to the trusses construction.

[1] Timber truss bridges were preferred by the Public Works Department from the mid 19th to the early 20th century because they were relatively cheap to construct, and used mostly local materials.

[1] The bridge at Pearce's Creek was built in response to agitation for a new road to shorten the distance to market for fruit growers in the Galston area.