Monier Arch Bridges in Bendigo

Engineering Heritage Victoria (EHV) has a program within its Heritage Recognition initiative to recognise structures built by General Sir John Monash, the firm Monash and Anderson (M&A) and various companies with which Monash was associated as a contribution towards the celebration of the centenary of the ANZAC Campaign in 2015.

Originally, a group of eight bridges were built by Monash and Anderson in Bendigo. They are all Monier arch bridges with a single arch, except for the second bridge at King’s Bridge (Weeroona Avenue) which has two arches. Of the 8 Monier bridges built in Bendigo, six remain, and are located at:

• King’s Bridge (Weeroona Avenue) [Note that this is the second bridge on this site]
• Abbott Street Bridge [on Back Creek / Spring Creek]
• High Street Bridge
• Thistle Street Bridge
• Booth Street Bridge
• Wade Street Bridge

All the bridges are situated on Bendigo Creek in Central Bendigo except Abbott Street Bridge which is nearby on a tributary known as Back Creek or Spring Creek.

The Monier system of reinforced concrete had been brought to Australia late in the 19th century by the engineering and contracting firm Carter, Gummow & Co who had acquired the New South Wales and Victorian patent rights. Monash & Anderson subsequently gained the rights for Victoria and South Australia which enabled them to design and construct their first bridge at Fyansford in Victoria in 1899/1900. The technique was novel at the time and Monash & Anderson had to work hard to convince potential bridge owners that the technique was reliable and cost effective.

The 8 bridges in Bendigo represent the centre group of the 18 bridges built by Monash & Anderson under the Monier patents. The first group consisted of the two multi-span bridges at Fyansford and Wheelers Bridge in 1900. The eight Bendigo Bridges were built close together between 1901 and 1902. A further 7 Monier arch bridges were built at various other localities by Monash & Anderson during the period 1901 to 1913.

King's Bridge in 2014. This site saw the original bridge collapse during testing and it was rebuilt as a two span bridge which is still in service
Source: Owen Peake

Wade Street Bridge is typical of the single span bridges of this type in Bendigo
Source: Owen Peake

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Golden Square Panel

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Kings Bridge (Weeroona Avenue) Panel

Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Engineering Engineering Marker (EHM)
Award Date	8 August 2014
Heritage Significance	The Weeroona Avenue Bridge is of scientific importance as an extraordinary example of the Monier concrete arch bridges designed and constructed by Monash & Anderson, and demonstrates an important stage in the development of reinforced concrete technology and early twentieth century engineering.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report	Available here.
Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image	Kings Bridge panel available here. Other bridges panel available here.