Princes Bridge

Hi V ... This is Princes Bridge looking towards the dome of Flinders Street Station.    Back in the day, 1840 to be specific, it was the subject of much rivalry between the government and private enterprise.  The government, led by Lieutenant-Governor Charles La-trobe, wanted the crossing at Elizabeth Street.  A private company, founded to construct the Yarra's first bridge, wanted it at Swanston Street.  Traders in Elizabeth Street wanted the crossing at Elizabeth Street and vendors in Swanston lobbied for it to be built in their street.  Swanston Street won and a wooden toll bridge was opened in 1840.  In 1844 a wooden trestle toll bridge was built. It then became a single span sandstone bridge in 1846 and, much to the relief of many, tolls were dropped.  At the time it was the longest single span bridge in the world.  My we have come a long way.  The current bridge was opened in 1888 and, showing allegiance to the Crown, was named after Edward Prince of Wales.  PS the Elizabeth Street traders eventually got their bridge over a century later with the construction of a foot bridge linking Southgate to Flinders Street station in 1989.  It can be seen at Nick's Blog here. It is known as the Southgate Footbridge.  No allegiance to the Crown in that name. Cheers J.
Shared with A Weekend in Black & White.