Before the bridge was built the only way to cross the Bungala at Normanville was by a ford. The Register newspaper in 1861 complained about this ford, saying that 'so long as the bottom can be seen the ford is a safe one; but when once the waters become deep, and horses have to feel their footing in a rapid and disturbed current, the matter becomes one requiring attention', and called for the building of a substantial bridge.

This bridge was not begun until 1868 but when built it was a substantial one. It was constructed with four large wrought iron girders resting on masonry abutments (built by George Sara & Sons, stones donated by Robert Norman). The 1985 Heritage Survey described it as 'One of the few iron bridges in South Australia of the 1860s, when that constructional method was gaining popularity'. The bridge was opened on 10 June 1869 by Miss Fanny Herbert, daughter of Septimane Herbert, and was christened the 'Normanville Bridge'.