In 2017, the Fitzsimons Lane Bridge lies at the junction of Templestowe, Eltham and Lower Plenty.
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Bridge reduces journey from 12 to 3 miles
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| Looking east over the new bridge at Fitzsimons Lane which connects Eltham and Templestowe. The bridge has reduced the once 12 mile journey between Eltham and Templestowe to three miles. (C.R.B. picture). |
The once 12 mile journey between Eltham and Templestowe has now been reduced to three miles because of a new bridge across the Yarra. The new bridge, which has been constructed under contract for the Country Roads Board, is mid-way between Banksia St. Bridge at Heidelberg and the Warrandyte Bridge. Total cost was £125,000. The bridge is linked by 1/2 miles of approaches joining the Heidelberg-Eltham road near the Eltham recreation reserve with the Heidelberg-Warandyte road at the intersection of Clarke St., Templestowe.
2500 vehicles The Country Roads Board expects that initially the new route will carry 1500 vehicles a day and in three years time it will amount to 2500 vehicles a day. Within a few years this will become a major route for traffic between Eltham and the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Additional land has been acquired along the route to enable the road and the bridge to be duplicated when necessary.
ROYALAUTO Journal, October, 1961 p3
Bridge Constructions 1961
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Bridge Constructions 1961. Before the bridge was built it was one of the best swimming and picnic spots in the area (Lyn Oakford). Note the swimmers at top left, Hurford) Terry & KarenFitzsimons Facebook
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Fitzsimons Lane Bridge - Templestowe, Eltham, Lower Plenty
Today residents of Eltham and beyond take it for granted that they cross the Yarra River at Fitzsimons Lane to travel to Templestowe and further on to southern and eastern suburbs. It has not always been the case. Prior to the building of the Fitzsimons Lane Bridge in 1961 there was no road crossing of the river between Banksia Street Heidelberg and Warrandyte.
Fitzsimons Lane seems an odd name for a main road carrying large volumes of traffic. Prior to the opening of the bridge it was a farm access road extending northerly from Porter Street Templestowe to the Yarra River. Land on the east side was owned by the Fitzsimons family.
In 1961 the Country Roads Board constructed a bridge across the Yarra and acquired land to link Fitzsimons Lane with Main Road, Eltham.
Much of this land came from the 15 acre property of Frank (Robin) and Margery Robinson Wood.
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Robin Woods’ – the house formerly known as ‘Robin Hill’. EDHS |
The Woods’ house was named “Robin Hill”. It remains today with the name “Robin Woods” and fronts Yarra Hill Close, formerly the southern end of Bolton Street. In 1991 a new bridge was built to the west of the original bridge and Fitzsimons Lane was widened to four lanes of traffic.
https://elthamhistory.wordpress.com/tag/fitzsimons-lane-bridge/
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