Flinders Street, Melbourne
Flinders Street Victoria | |
---|---|
Flinders Street, facing east from the intersection of Elizabeth Street | |
General information | |
Type | Street |
Length | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
Route number(s) | Metro Route 30 (1965–present) |
Tourist routes | Tourist Route 2 (1989–present) (through Docklands) |
Major junctions | |
West end | Wurundjeri Way Docklands, Melbourne |
East end | Wellington Parade East Melbourne |
Location(s) | |
LGA(s) | City of Melbourne |
Suburb(s) | Melbourne |
Flinders Street is a street in
The street is named after the English explorer, Matthew Flinders, who was erroneously credited with discovering Port Phillip at the time of its naming. It extends eastwards as far as Spring Street and the Treasury Gardens and, originally, westwards to Spencer Street,[a] but now continues past Batman's Hill to the Melbourne Docklands. As the closest street to the river, Flinders Street served Melbourne's original river port. The Customs House, now the site of Victoria's Immigration Museum, is on Flinders Street.
The street is home to Flinders Street station, the central station in Melbourne's suburban rail network. Tram routes 70 and 75, as well as the City Circle route, run along Flinders Street, and the Flinders Street Viaduct runs roughly parallel to the street, linking the city's two major railway stations.
Other landmarks along Flinders Street include
King Street Overpass
In the late 1950s, an overpass was built to take King Street over its intersection with Flinders Street, as part of the construction of the King Street Bridge and Kings Way. The overpass extended from Downie Street to just east of Custom House Lane.
Excavation commenced on the foundations of the southern side of the overpass on 6 January 1959 and, by 7 September, the first steel girders were erected.[1] Upon completion of the first stage on 21 November 1959, trams were diverted onto temporary tracks laid by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board on that part of the structure. On 23 November 1959, construction on the foundations on the northern side of the overpass commenced and, by 20 February 1960, the remainder of the steelwork on that portion was erected.[1] Following the erection of beams and the concreting of decks and permanent tram tracks, trams were diverted from the temporary tracks during the weekend of 11–13 June 1960. The northern traffic lanes heading eastbound were opened to traffic on 1 July 1960, with southbound lanes open not long afterwards.[1][2]
Many businesses and properties were overshadowed by the overpass which resulted in property values dropping and the closure of hotels, shops and showrooms. Plans to revitalise the area in the early 1960s never eventuated. In May 2002, the state government announced it would be demolished,[3][4] but it was May 2005 before work commenced, with preparations for Melbourne's 2006 Commonwealth Games acting as a catalyst.[5] The project concluded in August.[6]
2017 car attack
On 21 December 2017, a driver ploughed through a crowd on Flinders Street, injuring 19 pedestrians. The perpetrator, Saeed Noori, appeared in court on 23 December, charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and one count of reckless conduct endangering life. According to the Melbourne Police, Noori, a 32-year-old Australian of Afghan descent, had a history of assault, drug use and mental health issues.[7] He was remanded in custody and ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment.[8]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Country Roads Board Victoria. Forty-Seventh Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1960". Country Roads Board. Melbourne: Victorian Government Library Service. 21 November 1960. p. 82.
- ^ "City Overpass Now Open Both Ways". The Age. Melbourne. 12 August 1960. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "It's all over for city flyover". The Age. 18 May 2003. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "It's All Over For City Flyover". Trolley Wire (290): 18. August 2002.
- ^ "VicRoads Annual Report 2004-05". VicRoads. Melbourne: Victorian Government Library Service. 23 August 2005. p. 71.
- ^ "Flinders Street Overpass Bites The Dust". Government of Victoria. 11 August 2005. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Flinders Street driver was on mental health plan, had no known terror links: Melbourne police". ABC News. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 September 2023.