Road
Photos & Information: Victoria
 |
|
Grange Road, Loyola Grove, Madden Grove, Wallen Road, Power Street, Denmark Street, Princess Street, Chandler Highway, Darebin Road, Station Street, Albert Street, Boldrewood Parade & Broadway (Metropolitan Route 21) |
Statistics:
- Length: 17 km
- Northern
Terminus: High St (MR29) at Reservoir
- Southern
Terminus:Toorak Rd (MR26) at Toorak
- Suburbs, Towns
& Localities Along The Route: Reservoir, Preston, Thornbury, Alphington, Kew, Hawthorn, Burnley and Toorak
Route Numbering:
- Current:
- Multiplexes:
- Road Authority
Internal Classification: Broadway (5737), Plenty Valley Highway (Albert Street between Reservoir & Preston) (6140), Fairfield-Reservoir Road (Station Street & Albert Street) (5860), Darebin Road (5192), Grange Road (5876), Chandler Highway (5859), Burnley-Kew Road (Wallen Road, Power Street, Denmark Street & Princess Street) (5856) and Grange Road (5021) Viseth Uch
General Information:
Metropolitan Route 21 is a suburban arterial route linking Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
The route is a mix of divided and undivided road, passing through commercial, residential and industrial zones, including one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs, Toorak.
MR31 crosses the Yarra River 3 times.
The Chandler Highway section of the route was named after prominant local businessman and politician A. E. Chandler who was instrumental in pushing through the development of the Outer Circle Railway. The bridge that formed part of the railway is now used by Chandler Hwy road traffic. 2
Multiplexes along the route include:
- Tourist Drive 2, for 400m at Alphington
- Metropolitan Route 20, for 500 m between Burnley and Hawthorn
History:
- February 1889: Construction commenced on Outer Circle Railway Bridge (now Chandler Highway Bridge). 3
- November 1890: Construction of Outer Circle Railway Bridge concluded. 3
- 1927: Outer Circle Railway line closed, leaving the Outer Circle Bridge idle. 2
- 1930: Outer Circle Bridge converted to road traffic. 2
- 1934: Construction begins on MacRobertson Bridge on Grange Rd in Toorak. It was presented by prominent confectionery manufacturer and philanthropist Sir MacPherson Robertson to celebrate the centenary of the Victoria. The bridge is a double-span bridge over the Yarra River constructed of riveted steel segmental arches. The two piers upon which the diagonal steel members are supported are of concrete construction. Citylink (former South-Eastern Freeway) runs below the northern-most span of the bridge. 4
- 1881: Erection of Wallen Road Bridge by Johnson & Co Tyne Foundry. Known originally as Richmond Park Bridge, then Swan Street Bridge before becoming Wallen Road Bridge.
- 1916: Wallen Road Bridge, strengthened and widen to allow the inclusion of tram traffic. 5
- 1936-38: The Wallen Road Bridge was again strengthened. At the same time an additional span was created on the
Richmond side to accommodate the Yarra Boulevard (TD2) which was constructed as part of an unemployment relief
scheme during the Depression. 5
- 1965: Introduction of Metropolitan Route 20. 1
- 1989: Introduction of Metropolitan Route 21 duplex. 1
 |
Yarra River:
Chandler Hwy (MR21) at Kew as it crosses the Yarra River via Outer Circle Bridge, November 2005.
Image © Rob Tilley
|
1 Viseth Uch
2 Darebin Historical Encyclopedia, Chandler Highway Alphington
3 Heritage Victoria, Outer Circle Railway line bridge, later Chandler Highway Bridge, over Yarra River
4 Heritage Victoria, MacRobertson Bridge, Yarra River
5 Heritage Victoria, Victorian Heritage Database, Wallen Road Bridge, 7 May 2012
Last updated: 17-Dec-2019 0:55
This
site ©
Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their
respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using
any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking
here.
