MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE
Brung Brungle Road Old Glenelg Highway WANNON, Southern Grampians Shire
![Southern Grampians Shire](http://api.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/img/owner_icons/10.gif)
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
![23177 Monier Bridge Wannon 0200 23177 Monier Bridge Wannon 0200](https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/vhd-images/places/000/020/773.jpg)
![23177 Monier Bridge Wannon 0200 23177 Monier Bridge Wannon 0200](https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/vhd-images/places/000/020/773.jpg)
Statement of Significance
The Monier Bridge over the Wannon River at the township of Wannon, formerly Redruth, is the fourth bridge to span the river. The township developed around the crossing and in association with the nearby Wannon Falls. The bridge was located in the commercial centre of the township, at a time when the former route of the Glenelg Highway was the main street of Wannon. The bridge was critical for access to the Western District beyond Hamilton. The first bridge, built of timber, was replaced by two subsequent bridges. The present structure was built in 1917, to the design of a Country Roads Board engineer. The contractor was the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company. The bridge represented the CRB's new policy of building in permanent materials. Although a late use of the Monier system, it incorporates technical advances and is also of significance for its use and adaptation of the bluestone piers which necessitated larger than usual spans. The Monier Bridge is substantially intact and in good condition. It has since been superseded by a modern bridge on the realignment of the Glenelg Highway.
How is it significant?
The Monier Bridge on Brung Brungle Road over the Wannon River at Wannon is of historical and architectural significance to the township of Wannon and the Shire of Southern Grampians.
Why is it significant?
The Monier Bridge on Brung Brungle Road over the Wannon River at Wannon is of historical significance as a landmark at the centre of the former main street of the township of Wannon, established at the river crossing in the 1860s. It has additional historical significance for its sequence of development, representing the improvement of road transport and the growing importance of the communications corridor west of Hamilton towards the South Australian border. It is one of the first bridges designed by the then new Country Roads Board.
The bridge is of architectural significance as a late example of the use of the Monier system of reinforced concrete construction, which demonstrates technical improvements to the system. It also meets the challenge posed by the long spans between the existing bluestone piers. The bridge is architecturally significant as the work of the important engineering firm, Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company Ltd., which was led by the eminent engineer and general, Sir John Monash, who pioneered the use of the Monier system in Australia.
-
-
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Physical Conditions
The bridge is in very good condition but some of the cement rendered finishes of the pillars show signs of patching and over-painting.
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Physical Description 1
The Monier bridge over the Wannon River at Wannon, formerly known as Redruth, is located on a Crown Land road reserve, where the old Glenelg Highway crossed the river. It is a four span Monier concrete arch bridge built in 1917, and is the fourth bridge to be constructed on this site. It features bluestone abutments and piers which date from an earlier bridge built in 1870. The superstructure features decorated pillars with a cement render finished in a vermiculated pattern, and steel railings.
The 1917 bridge was a late and rare use of several Monier arches. By the time that this bridge was commissioned, John Monash had realised that girder bridges were more suitable in most situations. However the reinforced concrete girders of the time were not long enough to span the distances between the old bluestone piers of the earlier bridge (HS 18/9/1999).MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3 Developing local, regional and national economies
3.8 Moving goods and people
3.8.7 Building and maintaining roadsMONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Usage/Former Usage
Road bridge
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Integrity
high degree of integrity
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Physical Description 2
Sir John Monash, holder of the Monier patent
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGE - Physical Description 3
Crown Land Road Reserve
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
MONIER ROAD BRIDGEMONASH BRIDGESouthern Grampians Shire
-
WANNON FALLS GATES & RESERVESouthern Grampians Shire
-
Wannon Honour RollVic. War Heritage Inventory
-
1 Brockenshire StreetYarra City
-
1 Bundara StreetYarra City
-
1 Forster StreetHobsons Bay City
-
-