Morell Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morell Bridge |
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| Carries | Pedestrians and cyclists |
| Crosses | Yarra River |
| Locale | Melbourne, Australia |
| Official name | Morell Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| History | |
| Opened | 1899 |
The Morell Bridge is a special bridge in Melbourne, Australia. It crosses the Yarra River in a part of Melbourne called South Yarra. This bridge was built a long time ago, in 1899. It's famous because it was the very first bridge in Victoria to be made using a strong building material called reinforced concrete.
Building the Morell Bridge
The Morell Bridge was built by two clever engineers, John Monash and J. T. N. Anderson. They finished building it in 1899. What makes this bridge unique is how it was constructed. It was the first bridge in the Australian state of Victoria to use reinforced concrete. This material is concrete with steel bars inside, making it extra strong.
Another interesting fact is that the bridge was not built over the river at first. Instead, it was built on dry land! Later, the path of the Yarra River was changed so that it flowed right under the new bridge.
What Makes the Bridge Special?
The Morell Bridge has some cool decorations. You can see large dragon figures on its three arch spans. It also has old-fashioned lighting from the Victorian era. The drains on the bridge are made of cobbled bluestone. There used to be a single lane for cars in the middle.
This bridge is so important that it is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. This means it's a special historical place that needs to be protected.
A New Name and Use
When the bridge was first built, it was called the Anderson Street bridge. But in 1936, its name was changed to the Morell Bridge. It was renamed after Sir Stephen Morell. He was the Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1926 to 1928. A Lord Mayor is like the main leader of a city.
On June 7, 1998, the bridge was closed to cars. This happened because of a big road project called CityLink. Now, the Morell Bridge is only used by cyclists and people walking. It connects the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens to the Olympic Park areas. It's a great spot for a walk or a bike ride!
