The Swing (Latrobe) Bridge, built in 1883 by the Victorian government, was the first movable bridge built in Victoria. Designed by John Grainger (the father of famous Australian pianist and composer Percy Grainger) this bridge opened by pivoting horizontally on a set of central piers. The bridge keeper would be summoned, day or night, to open the bridge by the whistle of ships traveling along the Latrobe River.

When the bridge was built, the ships could only go as far as McArdell's Gap, leaving a distance of one mile to the town. This prompted the building of a canal enabling shipping to travel right into town so that the load could be transferred to train at the nearby railway station.

The Sale Canal was built in three stages, beginning in 1886. Much of the work was done by hand, with pick and shovel. Technology did however come to the rescue eventually, involving the use of Chesney's patent automatic earth scoop and William Forbes' traction engine. 1890 became the year of the birth of the Port of Sale.

This historic bridge is still in use today although it is no longer opened to water traffic. A new bridge is being built for traffic traveling between Sale and Longford and Council is considering restoring the swing bridge to its original condition.

$10.5M Funding Announced

A $10.5M State Government initiative announced in June 1999 includes restoration of the Swing Bridge. In addition two new bridges will be built over the Latrobe and Thomson Rivers. Although $3.5M has been allocated this financial year, work is not expected to begin for two or three years.

The Swing Bridge will be left in it's current location and refurbished and supported by the "Friends of the Swing Bridge" Group. State Roads and Ports Minister Geoff Craige stated that the bridge should stay where it is and not be relocated as a tourist attraction. Also stated by Mr Craige: "The Swing Bridge is a wonderful piece of history but is no longer adequate as a link on this major traffic route". Better access via the two new bridges will cut delays and allow easy access to the area by trucks.