Back to search results

Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel
Bunbury Street FOOTSCRAY, Maribyrnong City

All information on this page is maintained by Maribyrnong City. Click below for their website and contact details.
Maribyrnong City
HO107(1) - Rail Bridge over Maribyrnong River & Tunnel, Bunbury Street, Footscray.JPG
HO107(1) - Rail Bridge over Maribyrnong River & Tunnel, Bunbury Street, Footscray.JPG
HO107(1) - Rail Bridge over Maribyrnong River & Tunnel, Bunbury Street, Footscray.JPG
HO107(2) - Rail Bridge over Maribyrnong River & Tunnel, Bunbury Street, Footscray.JPG
On this page:

Statement of Significance

The Bunbury tunnel and bridge is of historical and technical significance at the Metropolitan level. The South Kensington to West Footscray goods line was a major construction project considering the amount of basalt which was required to be removed. Excluding the City underground loop it incorporates one of the few railway tunnels in the suburban area and is the largest of these. Construction of the bridge and tunnel involved the first such urban cut and fill tunnelling using an arched concrete lining. The transition from tunnel to bridge in a tight urban context stretched the engineering of the time. Construction of the bridge and tunnel involved the first such urban cut and fill tunnelling using an arched concrete lining. The transition from tunnel to bridge in a tight urban context stretched the engineering of the time. (Criterion F1) As a combined bridge, tunnel and cuttings on various levels, it is a unique engineering construction and cultural landscape, which reflects the advanced state of railway engineering in Victoria in the early 20th century. (Criterion A3)

The construction of the line in conjunction with the Albion to Broadmeadows goods line reflects the changes to operation of Victorian railways in the early 20th century as greater importance was placed on country railways, particularly the growth of interstate passenger services and the increase in freight traffic between country Victoria and western New South Wales and the Melbourne Ports. (Criterion D2)

Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) criteria

The Australian Heritage Commission criteria consist of a set of eight criteria which cover social, aesthetic, scientific, and historic values. Each criterion has sub-criteria written specifically for cultural or natural values. The relevant criteria are:

F.1 design or technological achievement .

A.3 richness and diversity of cultural features

D.2 good example of type

Show more
Show less

    • Physical Description 1

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Physical Description 1

      Built as a goods line to link West Footscray to South Kensington and the West Melbourne goods yard, by-passing the Footscray Junction and Station. The works were on a considerable scale involving a cutting on a curve from west of Footscray, going under the Melbourne rail line and into a tunnel under Bunbury Street. The tunnel was constructed by the cut and fill method and lined in concrete. Another smaller cutting where the on the east side runs directly onto a steel bridge across the Maribyrnong. 200,000 cubic yards of rock and soil were removed and 27 thousand tons of concrete poured into the tunnel liner.

      The bridge across the Maribyrnong River is a triangulated steel trust structure carrying double tracks, and is supported on mass Concrete pillars. Maribyrnong Street passes under the bridge between the brick-faced embankment and the concrete pier on the west side of the crossing.

      The east portal features a sloping brick wall with projecting string course and coping to either side of the sloping land at the tunnel entrance, while Bunbury Street splits in two with a narrow road surface of bitumen and bluestone cobbles kerbs passing down either side of the rail lines. A small timber, arrow-ended picket fence protects pedestrians at the Moreland Street crossing above the portal. A separate steel beam footbridge crosses the railway at this point.

      Physical Conditions

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Physical Conditions

      Generally in good condition and well maintained. Some graffiti disfigures the bridge abutments and the picket fences above the east portal are in a dilapidated state.

      Integrity

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Integrity

      The railway works are substantially intact to their original design, apart from modifications to the safety railing at the Hyde Street end.

      Physical Description 2

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Physical Description 2

      The tunnel runs under Bunbury street through a residential area with the western portal in the deep cutting near Footscray Station and the east portal and bridge in the Maribyrnong River industrial area. The rail lines go on to connect with the South Dynon/Melbourne Freight Terminal.

      Historical Australian Themes

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic context
      Australian Principal Theme Moving goods and people
      PAHT Subtheme: Moving goods and people by rail
      Local Theme Railways

      Physical Description 3

      Bunbury St Bridge & Tunnel - Physical Description 3

      Creation date(s): 1928
      Heritage Significance metropolitan
      Map (Melway) 42 D5 - E6
      Boundary description
      from the cross-over at McNab Ave. to the eastern abutment of the bridge across Sims
      Street including the full width and length of Bunbury Street.

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Maribyrnong - Maribyrnong Heritage Review

      Author: Jill Barnard, Graeme Butler, Francine Gilfedder & Gary Vines
      Year: 2000
      Grading:

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >