Queens Bridge (Melbourne) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queens Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 37°49′14″S 144°57′41″E / 37.820461°S 144.961384°E |
| Carries | Road, trams, pedestrians |
| Crosses | Yarra River |
| Locale | Melbourne, Australia |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 314 ft (96 m) |
| Width | 99 ft (30 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | David Munro |
| Opened | 1889 |
| Replaces | Falls Bridge |
The Queens Bridge is a really old and important bridge in Melbourne, Australia. It helps people, cars, and trams cross the Yarra River. This bridge was built a long, long time ago in 1889. It's special because it's made of strong iron and is even listed as a heritage site, meaning it's protected because of its history.
Discovering Queens Bridge
The Queens Bridge was finished in 1889. It was built by a contractor named David Munro. Before this strong bridge, there was an older wooden bridge from 1860. The new bridge was much better for crossing the river.
How the Bridge Was Built
This bridge looks like a very flat arch. It has five main sections, called spans. These spans are made from a tough material called wrought iron. They are shaped like big, flat beams, known as plate girders.
The bridge stands on strong foundations. These are made of iron cylinders filled with concrete. They are grouped in sets of eight, with special arched supports between them. The bridge connects Market Street and William Street on the north side of the river. On the south side, it connects to Queensbridge Street. Trams on route 58 also use this bridge to cross the river.
Famous Moments at the Bridge
In 1910, a very famous escape artist named Houdini visited Melbourne. He performed an amazing trick at the Queens Bridge. Houdini jumped into the Yarra River while he was shackled. Amazingly, he managed to escape from his chains in less than one minute!
