Tom 'Diver' Derrick Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Tom 'Diver' Derrick Bridge, commonly referred to as the 'Diver' Derrick Bridge, is an opening single-leaf bascule bridge
over the Port River
, Port Adelaide
. It was opened for traffic on 3 August 2008. The entire bridge project cost approximately $178 million. It is located between Docks 1 and 2 at Port Adelaide and links to Francis Street to the east and Victoria Road to the west. It has been built at the same time as a rail bridge, the Mary MacKillop Bridge (34.837887°N 138.506948°W), which is located right next to it.
The bridge was the subject of a successful community campaign, spearheaded by the local RSL
and the Portside Messenger
newspaper, to name it after Port Adelaide World War II
hero, Tom 'Diver' Derrick VC
, DCM
instead of the State Government's unpopular choice of the 'Power Bridge'.
The road and rail bridges were originally referred to as the PRExy Bridges, short for Port River Expressway. In 2004, South Australian Premier Mike Rann
announced the road crossing would be named the 'Power Bridge' after the Port Adelaide Football Club
which had recently won the AFL premiership. The State Government later announced it would hold a public competition to name the second bridge. But in 2005, in the wake of the death of Pope John Paul II
, Mr Rann announced the rail bridge would be named after Saint Mary MacKillop.
Later in 2005, it was suggested the bridge be named after Derrick. This idea gradually garnered grassroots support in Port Adelaide. In May 2008, the Portside Messenger collected a 3500-signature petition in support of the Derrick name. Port Adelaide-Enfield Council also unanimously supported naming the bridge after Derrick.
On 5 June 2008, the State Government announced it had changed its mind and would name the bridge after Derrick. The Port Adelaide Football Club agreed to relinquish its naming rights to the bridge.
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
over the Port River
Port River
The Port River is the western branch of the largest tidal estuary on the eastern side of Gulf St Vincent. It extends inland through the historic Inner Harbour of Port Adelaide, to the constructed salt-water West Lakes in the north-western suburbs of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia...
, Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide is a suburb of Adelaide lying about 14 kilometres northwest of the City of Adelaide. It lies within the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and is the main port for the city of Adelaide...
. It was opened for traffic on 3 August 2008. The entire bridge project cost approximately $178 million. It is located between Docks 1 and 2 at Port Adelaide and links to Francis Street to the east and Victoria Road to the west. It has been built at the same time as a rail bridge, the Mary MacKillop Bridge (34.837887°N 138.506948°W), which is located right next to it.
The bridge was the subject of a successful community campaign, spearheaded by the local RSL
Returned and Services League of Australia
The Returned and Services League of Australia is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force ....
and the Portside Messenger
Portside Messenger
Portside Messenger is a weekly suburban newspaper in Adelaide, part of the Messenger Newspapers group. The Portside covers the entire Le Fevre Peninsula, taking in Adelaide's northern metropolitan beach suburbs, and all of Port Adelaide....
newspaper, to name it after Port Adelaide World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
hero, Tom 'Diver' Derrick VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, DCM
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
instead of the State Government's unpopular choice of the 'Power Bridge'.
History
For years, debate raged in Port Adelaide about the need for a third crossing over the Port River, in addition to the existing Birkenhead Bridge and Jervois Bridge. Ideas for the crossing included an under-river tunnel, closed bridge, causeway and opening bridge. In the early 2000s the State Government announced the Port River Expressway project, a highway linking Port Adelaide to Adelaide's northern suburbs. The project included a closed bridge across the Port River. However the Port Adelaide community were concerned a closed bridge would cut-off the Port River and block larger boats from accessing the Port's inner harbour. After a strong community campaign, the State Government agreed to build a high-level single-leaf bascule opening bridge, instead of a closed bridge. AbiGroup was awarded the tender to build the bridge in 2005 and construction began the following year. The twin bascule bridges were designed by the New York City based engineering firm, Hardesty & Hanover, LLP. The bridge was expected to be complete in December 2007, but due to delays it was opened for vehicles on 3 August 2008.Name
Mike Rann
Michael David Rann MHA, CNZM , Australian politician, served as the 44th Premier of South Australia. He led the South Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party to minority government at the 2002 election, before attaining a landslide win at the 2006 election...
announced the road crossing would be named the 'Power Bridge' after the Port Adelaide Football Club
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
which had recently won the AFL premiership. The State Government later announced it would hold a public competition to name the second bridge. But in 2005, in the wake of the death of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, Mr Rann announced the rail bridge would be named after Saint Mary MacKillop.
Later in 2005, it was suggested the bridge be named after Derrick. This idea gradually garnered grassroots support in Port Adelaide. In May 2008, the Portside Messenger collected a 3500-signature petition in support of the Derrick name. Port Adelaide-Enfield Council also unanimously supported naming the bridge after Derrick.
On 5 June 2008, the State Government announced it had changed its mind and would name the bridge after Derrick. The Port Adelaide Football Club agreed to relinquish its naming rights to the bridge.