Today, passing over the Plenty River on Bridge Inn Road Mernda is done without any thought as to just how this crossing was once negotiated.
Opening up communication with the interior of the County of Evelyn, and the goldfields of St Andrews
The 1850’s and 60’s saw great prosperity in the Region – fuelled by both the discovery of gold and the construction of the Yan Yean Reservoir a pressing need for more efficient infrastructure in the area saw the establishment of the Morang Roads Board. In 1866 it was decided that the original timber bridge crossing at this point on the Plenty River be replaced with a more permanent structure.
– £1,000 from a state budget of £50,000 for the building of bridges in the state was allocated for the project.
Moses Thomas, Clerk and Surveyor to the Department of Roads and Bridges in Mernda drew up plans for the new bridge. His plans were presented to the board in May 1866.
The tender for construction was awarded to Mr Thomas Sobey of Preston, for the amount of £ 1,217.30 shillings, of which he received £1,163.00, with Civil Engineer J.E Austin receiving £52.10.
On August 17th Moses Thomas presented Mrs John Wilton, wife of the President of the Morang and Upper Plenty Roads Board with a silver trowel to lay the foundation stone. Mr Wilton made a speech highlighting the importance of the bridge in – Quote, “Opening up communication with the interior of the County of Evelyn, and the goldfields of St Andrews”.
The bridge was officially opened by Moses Thomas on the 12th of February 1867.
In 1975 the wooden decking and railings were replaced with a much wider two lane concrete surface.
The bridge today continues to play a vital role in allowing us to travel safely and quickly to our destination on either side. If we reflect back to John Wilston‟s words pertaining to the bridge – “Opening up communication”., that is precisely what we are doing today.
(Thanks to Ross Mugavin, Whittlesea Historical Society.)
Photo: Yarra Plenty Regional Library: DV_F_00580
