by L Hurley

Created on: November 05, 2010

The West Gate Bridge is not a destination in itself but it is a prominent feature of the Melbourne skyline. The bridge is a traffic only cable-stayed steel box girder bridge that crosses the lower Yarra River and links Melbourne to the western suburbs. It took 21 years from the time the idea of a bridge crossing was conceived to the bridge opening.

In 1957 the only river crossing available for traffic to and from the western suburbs was the Williamstown to Port Melbourne ferry. The ferry had limited facilities and could not service the growing demand resulting from development in the west. The Western Industries Association was formed to discuss the possibility of a river crossing with the government and local municipalities.

For the next eight years there were committees, associations and limited companies formed and liquidated while discussions stalled. Cost was a major limiting factor. The Lower Yarra Crossing Authority Limited was created in 1965 and given legislative powers to be able to raise finance to build the bridge. In addition it had the power to compulsorily acquire land and raise tolls on the completed bridge.

Construction commenced in April 1968 but on the morning of October 15, 1970 tragedy struck. A 112 metre span collapsed during construction killing 35 workers and seriously injuring 17 more. A memorial plaque paid for by the workers who completed the bridge was unveiled on the 15th of October 1978.  It was erected in honour and memory of their workmates and lists the names and occupations of the 35 workers who died in the collapse.

The bridge was finally completed on November 15, 1978. It is over 2.5 kilometres in length and has a river span of 336 metres. The AUD202 million cost was paid for in part by tolls which were removed when the debt was fully paid.

A Memorial Park was opened on October 15, 2004. It is located at the intersection of Douglas Parade and Hyde Street in Spotswood. It incorporates the original memorial plaque and has a boardwalk with 35 sculptural pillars designating a ‘sacred zone’ where the bridge span fell.

Neither pedestrians, nor stopping on the bridge are allowed. To take in the views of the industrial areas to the west, the CBD to the east and the bay to the south you must be a passenger in a vehicle. Although the speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour if you’d like a leisurely look arrange your passage during peak hour when traffic speed is reduced to not much more than a crawl.

The continued growth of the western industrial and suburban districts has seen traffic again outstrip the capacity of the Yarra River crossing. In 2010 the Victorian State Government has released plans to build a tunnel connecting major road routes to reduce pressure on the West Gate corridor.

The West Gate Bridge is one of Melbourne’s most recognised landmarks and a stark reminder of the tragedy of a time when workplace safety laws were unheard of. As you take in the views from this engineering marvel of its time take a moment to remember the men who gave their lives in its building.

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