Collins Bridge

From Boroondara Wiki

Collins Bridge is a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Yarra River in Kew. It connects Gipps Street in Collingwood to the eastern (Boroondara) bank of the River.

Etymology

It is named for Cr. A. Collins, a former councillor and mayor of the City of Collingwood, who was advocated for a bridge to be built across the Yarra River from Gipps Street.[1]

Construction and usage

A bridge had been proposed at the end of Gipps Street to span the Yarra River for many years.[2]

The site of the bridge was confirmed as being the Gipps Street site at a Collingwood Council meeting on 28 October 1912.[3]

The bridge was officially opened on Thursday 19 August 1915 by the Mayor of Collingwood, Cr. E. J. Brown. It was constructed at the cost of 2,200 pounds, partially funded by the Victorian Government.[4]

On 14 September 1926, John Middleton, a local worker, jumped over the edge of the bridge for unknown reasons. He was arrested and given medical treatment, after which he was put on trial and charged with "having behaved in an offensive manner". He was admonished by the magistrate to "not to do any such foolish things again".[5]

Concerns were raised by 1939 about the structual integrity of the bridge.[6] Collingwood Council undertook an inspection and found that there was no danger.[7]

References

  1. ""COLLIS-BRIDGE."", 17 March 1915, p. 7.
  2. "COLLINGWOOD BRIDGE.", 20 September 1855, p. 5.
  3. "COLLINGWOOD CITY COUNCIL.", 2 November 1912, p. 2.
  4. "BRIDGE OVER THE YARRA.", 20 August 1915, p. 11.
  5. "JUMPED OVER BRIDGE.", 21 September 1926, p. 15.
  6. "Collins-Bridge Danger", 28 February 1939, p. 9.
  7. "Bridge Not Dangerous", 1 March 1939, p. 16.