Burdekin (Low level),
Work on the first bridge across the Burdekin River's lower reaches — the low-level rail bridge at Inkerman linking Ayr and Home Hill began in 1912, and the bridge was officially opened on September 8, 1913.
Although the bridge was a vital link in the North Coast Railway linking Brisbane and Cairns, the Burdekin's flood-prone lower reaches caused regular disruptions as the waters rose over the bridge and debris floating down the river became trapped in the structure. Floods repeatedly caused significant damage, and repairs took months each time. While passenger services were disrupted, alternative arrangements were possible. Disruption to freight services meant goods sourced in the south were sometimes in short supply and Northern exports were curtailed.
Road traffic across the river was limited until work on a low-level traffic bridge at the Bowen Crossing began in 1929. Although it served the district for more than 25 years, it was frequently out of action due to rising river levels.
Construction of a new high-level road-rail bridge — the Silver Link — began in April 1947. The work took ten years to complete, largely due to a lack of bedrock under the river bed, which forced the workers to sink huge concrete caissons to depths of over 30 metres.
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