Completed in 1836, Lansdowne Bridge was a vital link on the Southern Road, funded by a £1,083 colonial government allocation. David Lennox, a skilled Scottish stonemason, arrived in New South Wales around the same time and was appointed Sub-Inspector of Bridges. By 1833, Lennox was overseeing the bridge's construction, meticulously selecting stone from a quarry 11 km downstream and floating it to the site using tides. His workforce primarily consisted of convicts, some of whom he successfully advocated for to have their chains removed due to good conduct.
The project wasn't without its challenges; a convict mutiny over pilfered liquor was swiftly quelled by Liverpool police. Governor Bourke laid the foundation stone on January 1, 1834, though the inscribed plate was stolen and quickly recovered. By mid-1834, Lennox began the complex process of building timber frames to support the arch. Though originally slated for a January 26, 1836 opening, minor delays pushed back completion. Once operational, tolls quickly covered costs, and by 1844, the bridge was generating significant revenue. Lansdowne Bridge stands today as a testament to Lennox’s expertise and the resilience of its builders.