Tenders were called by the Department of Works, Bridges Branch, on 25 September 1885 for the Townsville structure.

The innovative design of a swing bridge pivoting on a central drum was an unusual method of allowing river traffic to pass up shallow Ross Creek.

The central swing allowed large ships to pass through in the deeper, left hand channel, while smaller craft could take the shallower right lane.

During the years after the bridge was opened the commercial centre of Townsville expanded and the warehouse district was gradually confined closer to the mouth of Ross Creek.

The bridge had seriously deteriorated by the 1980s and was threatened with demolition, until 1988 when it was leased by the Townsville City Council to a developer.

A new superstructure of shops was built onto and around the existing fabric and the approaches to the bridge and the banks were landscaped.

The addition of a modern superstructure of shops and the removal of the approaches has substantially altered the visual aspect.

[1] Victoria Bridge is also held in high regard because it has been a feature of the townscape and played a major part in the development of the city for over one hundred years.

Victoria Bridge is also held in high regard because it has been a feature of the townscape and played a major part in the development of the city for over one hundred years.