Beware of low clearance. The Montague Street Bridge stands before you. This South Melbourne bridge is more than just a crossing. It is a testament to Melbourne’s history and a source of endless amusement.
Constructed in 1914 by Johns and Waygood, the Montague Street Bridge was part of the Port Melbourne railway line. Montague Railway Station was nearby serving factory workers. The last train passed in 1987. The line became a light rail. Today, trams travel route 109 over the bridge.
Flooding plagued Montague Street. In 1916, water submerged the area. In 1934, the council raised the street. This reduced the bridge’s clearance. Now at three meters, the Montague Street Bridge became a collision magnet.
Despite warning signs, vehicles often strike the bridge. The Montague Street Bridge has become infamous for these incidents. It is a local landmark. The media frequently reports on the collisions. This notoriety has made the Montague Street Bridge a cultural icon.
The Montague Street Bridge even has its own social media presence. There is a Twitter and Instagram account. They are written from the bridge’s perspective. A website tracks how many days since the last collision. David Cosma wrote a comedic song about the Montague Street Bridge. Its lyrics include the line “But I think I’m gonna go anyway.”
In 2016, a bus crash injured several people. The driver was initially sentenced to prison. The sentence was later reduced on appeal. Premier Daniel Andrews commented on the bridge’s resilience. He noted its “fearless” and “undefeated” nature. The Victorian Government estimates each collision costs the economy $100000. This is due to traffic delays. Emergency services and repairs add another $30000.
The government installed warning gantries. Paddles hang to alert drivers of their vehicle’s height. More signs were added. Premier Andrews joked that he would give up if another crash occurred. Yet, collisions continue.
Raising the Montague Street Bridge is not feasible. It would disrupt the tram network. Lowering the road is also difficult. Electricity cables, water, and gas pipes are underground. Lowering the road could also cause flooding.
Naomi Dickinson from the National Transport Research Organisation suggests a human factors review. This would examine the warning systems. She also suggests working with digital map developers. This would create in-car alerts for over-height vehicles.
The Montague Street Bridge stands as a quirky Melbourne landmark. It is a blend of history, engineering challenges, and cultural impact. Its story continues with each passing tram and the occasional unfortunate collision. The Montague Street Bridge remains an integral part of Melbourne.