Hawthorn Bridge

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Hawthorn Bridge crosses the Yarra River five km east of Melbourne connecting Bridge Road and Burwood Road. It is the oldest extant bridge over the Yarra River.

Hawthorn Bridge's tall bluestone piers and abutments were completed in February 1858. When the ship carrying the wrought iron trusses from England caught fire and sank in Port Phillip Bay, another set had to be ordered, made and delivered, delaying completion of the bridge until 1861. The bridge was widened in 1890 by extending the piers and abutments and adding additional trusses.

In 1885, Hawthorn Bridge was the historic destination of Melbourne's first tram service.

Because the bridge joins two municipalities and services a tramway, there have always been problems with management, on-going maintenance and finance. In 1928, when funds to repair or replace the bridge were not available, the Richmond City Engineer declared it unsafe and closed it.

The State Government was forced to act and, after much debate, the bridge was repaired, strengthened and widened by the Railways Construction Branch, using in-situ electric arc welding and the timber deck was replaced with reinforced concrete. Today the deck of the bridge retains its 1931 appearance but, underneath, the trusses, piers and abutments appear as they were in 1861.

Central Melbourne bridges over the Yarra River

West Gate Bridge • Bolte Bridge • Webb Bridge • Charles Grimes Bridge • Spencer Street Bridge • Kings Bridge • Queens Bridge • Sandridge Bridge • Southbank Footbridge • Princes Bridge • Swan Street Bridge • Morell Bridge • Hoddle Bridge • Cremorne Rail Bridge • Church Street Bridge • MacRobertson Bridge • Glen Waverley Line • Monash Freeway • Swan Street • Hawthorn Bridge • Victoria Bridge • Johnston Street Bridge • Eastern Freeway