Spencer Street Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spencer Street Bridge
Coordinates	37.822942°S 144.955893°E / -37.822942; 144.955893
Carries	Road, trams, pedestrians
Crosses	Yarra River
Locale	Melbourne, Australia
Characteristics
Material	All steel superstructure
Total length	405 ft (123 m)
Width	80.6 ft (24.6 m) Roadway 12 ft (3.7 m) footways
Height	28.5 ft (8.7 m)
Longest span	130 ft (40 m)
Number of spans	3
Piers in water	Concrete on cylindrical caissons faced with bluestone down to rock
History
Architect	Royal Victorian Institute of Architects Mr Oakley Mr Kermode Mr Perrin
Engineering design by	Mr W. D. Chapman
Constructed by	Railways Construction Branch
Construction begin	28 October 1927
Construction end	1930
Construction cost	£168,700

The Spencer Street Bridge is a road and tram bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia. It connects Spencer Street on the north bank with Clarendon Street on the south. The idea of a bridge at this point was first put forward in the mid-1800s.

The design of the bridge was a public competition won by Messrs. Edward Saunders and Alan Wilson, engineers, in conjunction with Messrs. Alfred R. La Gerche and W. E. Gower, architects., the competition result being announced in November 1925 The first pile was driven in October 1927.

During construction engineers knew deep foundations would be required to find bedrock, but at 20 metres below sea level they struck a red gum stump that took three weeks work to remove. It was dated at about 8,000 years old and appears to have lived for well over 400 years. The cantilever girder type, with steel girder suspended span bridge was completed in 1930, with an adjacent glass and steel covered footbridge built alongside in 1998, as part of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Gallery

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  The parallel glass and steel footbridge

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  Yarra River & Spencer Street Bridge

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  Spencer Street Bridge 1930 Plaque