Opening of the Merivale Bridge 1978
First train on Merivale Bridge, Saturday 18 November 1978. (Queensland State Archives)
The Merivale Bridge was officially opened by Premier Bjelke -Petersen on Saturday, 18 November 1978. The 877m long double track railway bridge crosses the Milton Reach of the Brisbane River and connects the Roma Street and South Brisbane Railway Stations. The bridge was named after Merivale Street in South Brisbane with which it is aligned.
This beautiful postcard of the Merivale Bridge is of a specially commissioned oil painting by Ed.Devenport to commemorate the opening of the Brisbane Cross River Rail Link on 18 November 1978. The original painting measures 54 x 76 cm and is held in a private collection. The postcard was published by Boolarong Publications. (Information on back of postcard from my collection)
Souvenir Ticket – First Train Merivale Bridge 18 Nov 1978
These rectangular cardboard tickets with a gloss blue/red front and plain white back are held at the Queensland Museum. Accompanying text reads:
“This souvenir ticket marks the opening of the new rail bridge connecting South Brisbane station directly to Roma Street on the 18 Nov 1978. For almost 100 years the suburban rail network based in South Brisbane had essentially operated as a separate rail network to that of the north side of the Brisbane River, which was based around Roma Street. Previously the rail network only had a rail crossing at Indooroopilly and a connecting line between Yeerongpilly and Corinda. The new bridge, including the electrification of the suburban rail network, allowed a greater flexibility of operation. It also saved passengers from having to walk across the Victoria Bridge and provided easier access to Roma Street, Central and Brunswick Street stations in the Brisbane CBD.”
Construction
Construction took three years and three months and cost $20.6 million.
