Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford
Merton Street and Railway Avenue ALTONA MEADOWS, Hobsons Bay City
Hobsons Bay Railways Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
The bluestone railway bridge and stone ford on the Melbourne-Geelong Railway at Laverton Creek, comprising the bluestone abutments, piers and roadway originally constructed in 1859, situated near the intersection of Merton Street and Railway Avenue, Altona Meadows.
How is it Significant?The bluestone railway bridge and stone ford at Laverton Creek are of local historic and technical significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it is significant as an original and contributory part of the earliest railway line to cross the region and one of a small group of stone railway bridges from the 1850s in the region (AHC criterion A4 and B2)
Technically, it is significant as the only ford paved with shaped or worked stone in the municipality and as an unusual combination of road ford and rail bridge in the Melbourne area. (AHC criterion B2 and F1)
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Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford - Physical Description 1
The 1850s coursed basalt abutments have drafted margins and a splayed plinth. The bridge beam, originally wrought iron girders, has been replaced with pre-stressed girders, with modifications to the bearing surface at the top of the stone work.
Pilasters to the abutments also appear to have been trimmed above track level. The approach road is evidently of "Telford" type construction, of basalt boulders set in the natural clay on a camber, with a crushed rock wearing surface and bare basalt pitchers in the ford section.
This is an unusual combination of road ford and rail bridge in the Melbourne area which compares directly with the Black Arch or Duke Street ford in Tottenham, but more generally with the former Neil Road ford Deer Park, Clarke's Road ford Rockbank and Cobbledicks Ford, Werribee. Many fords have a natural stone base.
Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford - Integrity
External Condition
Good
External Integrity
Moderate to Low
Boundary Description
The bridge and ford plus land within nominally 5m of its perimeter with emphasis on fabric from the bridge and ford construction dates.
Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford - Physical Description 2
Context
Set in a flat open landscape near major industrial development.
Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford - Historical Australian Themes
Transporting people
Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone Ford - Physical Description 3
Associations
Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company, Victorian Colonial Government
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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Laverton State School No. 2857 (Former)Hobsons Bay City
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Melbourne-Geelong Railway Bridge and Stone FordHobsons Bay City
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Former Laverton Primary School No. 2857National Trust
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