Historic discovery at Toowoomba roadworks site
Dozens of historically significant items have been found at the site of a Toowoomba roadworks project.
Toowoomba
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AN INTACT corduroy bridge related to the "very early" colonial settlement of Toowoomba has been uncovered under James Street.
The bridge, that was made up of logs placed side-by-side with cobble stones over the top and helped vehicles cross East Creek, dates from 1845 to 1855 and was found near a larger wooden bridge that was built in 1862.
Both bridges have over the years subsequently been buried under culverts and James Street.
They were uncovered in recent weeks by roadwork crews working on flood mitigation projects in the area.
Everick Heritage archaeologist Dr James Wallace said it was an "amazing find".
"It is a real glimpse into Toowoomba's history and construction methods during that time," Dr Wallace said.
"This is probably one of the most unique situations I have come across.
"Nobody would expect to find a full bridge built within the road reserve, and built over the top of.
"It's hard to say at the moment why the bridge was built over, but it could have been because of floods and water accumulating."
Dr Wallace said as well as the bridges, there had been a number of other finds in the area, including old horseshoes, ink holders, cowbells, nails and more.
"Due to the depth and organic material still in the soil, we are also finding boots, shoes, belts intact from anywhere between the 1890s and 1920s," he said.
"That provides us with the chance to study how early boots were made."
Dr Wallace said all of the discoveries so far had been post-colonisation and he wasn't expecting to find any First Nations artefacts at that site.
"It's highly unlikely, as it was the middle of a river during a very early period," he said.
"You never know, though."
James St closed at the Kitchener St intersection in mid-May for the culverts upgrade at East Creek.
The road was scheduled to re-open in August, though its unknown yet whether this discovery will have any impact on timing.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the government had a responsibility to heritage and history.
"We are working around all of it," he said.
"We are very keen to finish the project as early as we possibly can."
He said the government was considering what would happen to the bridge and the items going forward.
"They're obviously an important part of local history, so (keeping the items in Toowoomba) is something we'd very seriously consider and look to," he said.
"Everything is being very carefully preserved."
Dr Wallace said the bridges could potentially be moved to a new location where the public could see the history for themselves.
Mr Bailey said the James St upgrades would create more than 70 jobs in the region.