The Hoddle Bridge is a 1938

arch bridge An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its structural load, loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either si ...

that carries Punt Road over the

Yarra River The Yarra River or historically, the Yarra Yarra River, (Kulin languages: ''Berrern'', ''Birr-arrung'', ''Bay-ray-rung'', ''Birarang'', ''Birrarung'', and ''Wongete'') is a perennial river in south-central Victoria, Australia. The lower st ...

, connecting

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a city in the United States * Richmond, London, a town in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town ...

and

South Yarra South Yarra is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Cities of Melbourne and Stonnington local government areas. South Yarra recorded a populati ...

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

, Australia.

History

A punt was first established at this point in the river in 1842, the name soon being attached to the north-south road leading to it through Richmond, and to the road through South Yarra across the river to the south, which did not align. In 1895, a footbridge was constructed joining the two roads in connection with a new sewer line that was to cross the river, utilising steel Pratt trusses. The trusses were later reused for a stock bridge over the Maribyrnong River, now known as the Angliss Stock Bridge. A road bridge was first urged by the

Melbourne City Council The City of Melbourne is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central city area of Melbourne. In 2021, the city has an area of and had a population of 149,615. The city's motto is "''vires acquirit eundo''" which ...

in 1934, and an agreement reached with the State Government in 1936. The

Country Roads Board The Country Roads Board was a government authority responsible for the construction and maintenance of main roads in the state of Victoria, Australia between 1913 and 1983. History The Country Roads Board (CRB) was formed to take over respon ...

began construction of the bridge in late 1937, with tenders for sub-contracted work (involving driving 240 concrete piles and the construction of four river piers) released. During 1937, the contractor drove all the piles and completed one pier, but owing to the slow rate of progress the contract was concluded and the work completed by direct labour under the Board's engineers. As no satisfactory tender was received for the construction of the abutments and super-structure, the work put in hand by the Board by direct labour. Total cost was A£77,009. Before construction of the bridge began, the nearest crossing for traffic was at the

Morell Bridge The Morell Bridge is an arch bridge over the Yarra River in South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Completed in 1899 by John Monash and J. T. N. Anderson, it is notable as the first bridge in Victoria that was built using reinforced con ...

, a half-mile downstream. Traffic conditions at this narrow bridge were very congested, as a considerable proportion of traffic which came down from the north along Punt Road was compelled to swing to the west to cross the river and thence again to the east for an extra mile. Comparisons of traffic measurements taken in the vicinity before and after the bridge had opened had shown not only a decrease in total distance in crossing the river, but an increase of traffic of 17.38%. The bridge was originally referred to as Punt Road Bridge, but was named after the surveyor

Robert Hoddle Robert Hoddle (21 April 1794 – 24 October 1881) was a surveyor and artist. He was the first Surveyor-General of Victoria from 1851 to 1853. He was previously the Surveyor-in-Charge of the Port Phillip District from 1837 to 1851. He became ...

upon opening by the

Premier of Victoria The premier of Victoria is the head of government of the state of Victoria in Australia. The premier leads the Cabinet of Victoria and selects its ministers. The premier is appointed by the governor of Victoria, must be a member of the Vic ...

Albert Dunstan Sir Albert Arthur Dunstan, KCMG (26 July 1882 – 14 April 1950) was an Australian politician who served as the 33rd premier of Victoria from 1935 to 1943 and from 1943 to 1945 and as the third deputy premier of Victoria for five days in ...

on 22 December 1938., ''...Hoddle Bridge, which now spans the Yarra at Punt rd, was opened to traffic on December 22, 1938, and named after Mr R. Hoddle the first surveyor of the City of Melbourne...''

Description

It is a five-lane road bridge with footpaths on either side. It is constructed of reinforced concrete, supported on transverse piers aligned with the river but at an angle to the road, with five segmental arched spans of continuous T-beam construction, supported on, topped by concrete cross-beams supporting the roadway. Decorative features are in the Art Deco style, namely wrought iron balustrade, and the pylons above each pier end, topped by more traditionally styled lamps.

References

Bridges in Melbourne Bridges over the Yarra River 1938 establishments in Australia Bridges completed in 1938 Concrete bridges in Australia Buildings and structures in the City of Melbourne (LGA) Transport in the City of Melbourne (LGA) Transport in the City of Yarra Buildings and structures in the City of Yarra Transport in the City of Stonnington Buildings and structures in the City of Stonnington Art Deco architecture in Melbourne {{VictoriaAU-struct-stub