Victoria Bridge, Melbourne

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Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge Richmond.jpg
Coordinates 37°48′44″S145°0′55″E / 37.81222°S 145.01528°E / -37.81222; 145.01528 Coordinates: 37°48′44″S145°0′55″E / 37.81222°S 145.01528°E / -37.81222; 145.01528
Carries Victoria Street
Crosses Yarra River
Locale Hawthorn, Richmond
Characteristics
Design Truss bridge made of riveted and welded steel
History
OpenedMarch 31, 1884 (1884-03-31) [1] [2] [3]
Location
Victoria Bridge, Melbourne

The Victoria Bridge is a bridge over the Yarra River between Richmond and Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia. [4] It carries Victoria Street across the Yarra.

The bridge is riveted and welded steel Warren truss bridge. It was completed in 1884. The bridge was widened in 1890 by the addition of a third line of truss on new piers on the upstream side to carry horse trams. In 1915 the bridge was further strengthened to accommodate the extra weight of electric trams and widened to accommodate two cantilever footpaths. Further widening and reconditioning of the bridge took place in 1933, including the addition of four new welded trusses. [4]

The bridge is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. [4] The bridge initiated travel and trade between the industrial inner suburbs and the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and stands testimony to the development of the tramway in the city. It comprises two Ornamental Tramway Overhead Gantries which were installed in 1916. They hold an aesthetic significance because of their early 20th century ornamental design which is hard to find these days. [5]

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References

  1. "THE VICTORIA-STREET BRIDGE". Mercury And Weekly Courier . No. 487. Victoria, Australia. 5 April 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 26 September 2016 via National Library of Australia., ... Before proceeding to notice the opening ceremony let us glance hastily at the beautiful (?) structure that has been five years in course of construction, and that has cost £10,000, and is not yet finished-and possibly never will be completed--as the first big flood in the Yarra may carry it holus bolus into the river...
  2. "THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1884". The Argus (Melbourne) . No. 11, 783. Victoria, Australia. 27 March 1884. p. 5. Retrieved 26 September 2016 via National Library of Australia., ...The Victoria street bridge, concerning which there has been considerable discussion and alteration of plans, has at last been completed, and will be formally opened for traffic by the mayor of Richmond(Councillor Adam) on Monday next The opening ceremony will be celebrated by a luncheon at the Richmond Town-hall...
  3. "GENERAL NEWS". Weekly Times . No. 761. Victoria, Australia. 5 April 1884. p. 7. Retrieved 26 September 2016 via National Library of Australia., ...The Victoria street Bridge, which has been for a great length of time in course of construction over the Yarra, at the foot of Victoria street, East Richmond, was opened on Monday...
  4. 1 2 3 "Victoria Bridge, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0374, Heritage Overlay HO291,HO480". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria.
  5. "Victorian Heritage Database Report". Heritage Council Victoria.