Richard Barratt took this photo from the southern bank of the River Torrens looking eastward at the 'City Bridge', which was completed in June 1855 to link the city with North Adelaide, especially in the event of floods of the river. The underpass was necessary in those early days to link the police barracks to their horse paddocks, and for the movement of livestock within the city.

In recent times, additions have been made to the four bridge columns, adding some metres to their height. The wooden fencing has also been modernised.