Opened by the Hon. J A Rafferty, Minister for Transport, 25 November 1976, the bridge was the first of four bridges to be built as part of the freeway bypass of Orbost. Construction cost $2.4 million. This construction was an important development along the Princes Highway corridor through East Gippsland. The original highway approached the Snowy River at a very poor alignment, and several serious accidents had occurred at the Orbost end. In times of heavy flood, the highway on both sides of the river had been cut by floodwaters and during the 1971 floods, the highest ever recorded, the river was a mile wide at the crossing. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’ and opened to traffic in December 1977. (ref http://mrv.ozroads.com.au) The Country Roads Board was the government authority for the construction and maintenance of main roads in Victoria between 1913 and 1983. It was succeeded by the Road Construction authority on 1 July 1983 and later merged with the Road Traffic Authority on July 1 1989 to form the Roads Corporation. James Cameron, an Orbost farming pioneer and Member of the Legislative Assembly, fathered the Country Roads Board. The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost.Three coloured Country Roads pamphlets for the 'Princes Freeway - Orbost Section". On the front is a coloured photograph of the new construction over the Snowy River at Orbost. Inside is a program for a ceremony for the opening of the new Snowy River Bridge. There is also a black print map of the project.

Photograph Card - folded card, blank inside of Cable Trams, motor cars, pedestrians crossing Princes Bridge over the Yarra River with the Princes Bridge / Batman Ave tram terminus with a shelter in the background. Shows five cable tram sets. Has railway signals and Government House in the view. Produced by View Productions GPO Box 1858 Sydney, from the Kelly Collection, titled "On the Princes Bridge, circa 1920, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia". Has the Publishers logo on the rear.trams, tramways, princes bridge, batman ave, swanston st, cable trams, shelters

One of a number of 'real photo' and commercial postcards created by or owned by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew. The postcards are part of a larger collection of photographs, postcards and publications donated to the collection in May 2021.Monochrome postcard of Yarra at Princes Bridge with rowers on river and cars, bystanders and an athlete in foreground. Three oars lean against tree. The Rose Series P. 1076postcards -- melbourne, princes bridge -- melbourne, postcards - the rose series, christian-washfold collection

Postcard photo of Princes Bridge with Flinders St Station, St Pauls Cathedral and Princes Bridge station with trams 896 and a W2 crossing the bridge southbound. Kodak photo but register poor. Appears c1950 given the vehicles. Divided back with places for stamp, address, correspondence and details. Nucolorvue Productions L10 with a Kodachrome productions note.trams, tramways, princes bridge, st paul's cathedral, flinders st station, tram 896

Black and white image of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and and his brother, in Mining Costume after descending the Band of Hope Gold Mine, Ballarat. R.M. Serjeant stands to the left. ballarat, band and albion gold mine, mining, duke of edinburgh, royal visit, princes, robert malachi serjeant, r.m. serjeant, royalty

Original and framed etching of Princess Bridge Melbourne, created by John Shirlow in 1931.Framed black and white etching by John Shirlow of the view across Princes Bridge [Melbourne] looking north. The work is signed in pencil below the signed and dated etching.Artist's signature lower rightaustralian art, etchings, john shirlow, princes bridge - melbourne (vic)

Black and white postcard showing part of Princes Highway below Jemmys Point, undeveloped Bullock Island New Works area and Entrance in distance Lakes Entrance VictoriaLakes Entrance Gippsland Lakesroads and streets, transport, township, waterways

Rose Series postcard No. P 3506 titled "Looking across Princes Bridge to the City, Melbourne", with W2 class 352, in bound to the City. In the background is St Pauls Cathedral, Princes Bridge Station, and Yields information Princes Bridge and the city skyline, Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.tramways, trams, w2 class, tram 352, princes bridge, st kilda road, st paul's cathedral

This record features two songs about the city of Warrnambool, 'The Princes of the Highway' and 'Warrnambool Song'. The first-named is a reference to the fact that Warrnambool is on the Princes Highway and the 'princes' are those who grew and picked potatoes in times past. The lyrics are by a former Warrnambool resident, Camilla Fligelman and the singer is John Stevens. Warrnambool is a city in the western district of Victoria servicing an agricultural area, particularly the dairying industry. This record is of interest as one of several recordings made over the years celebrating the city of WarrnamboolThis is a 45 R.P.M. record with a red -coloured centre and black printing. It is enclosed in a thin cardboard envelope which has red and black lines and printing on the front and the lyrics of the two songs on the back.warrnambool songs

Colour postcard of Princes Bridge and South Gate Fountain Melbourne, late 1960's. Postcard shows the southern end of the Princes Bridge, has 3 W2's on bridge, each with marker lights and the South Gate fountains, existing at the time of the photograph. Since replaced by the Arts Centre. On rear is printed caption, giving details of the location, the date of the fountain construction (1959), stamp placement area and publishers details and post card number (8P 1053-2), National View by Murfett Publishers.On top edge near stamp area in black ink "1968".trams, tramways, melbourne, southgate, princes bridge, mmtb

This photograph was taken near the Snowy River Bridge on the the old Princes Highway in Orbost, near the caravan park. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is pictorial evidence of a significant local event. Floods have been an integral part of Orbost's history for hundreds of years.A black / white photograph of debris, fallen power lines, a tree across the highway and floodwaters across the road.on front at bottom - handwritten in upper case print - " 1971 FLOOD PRINCES HIGHWAY NEAR SNOWY BRIDGE"floods-orbost-1971

Looking towards the City from near Princes Pier. Government Engine Works and city buildings in the distance. James Lauritz print of Port Melbourne, laminated (one of 18). Copies of slides produced for Port Melbourne Councillocal government - city of port melbourne, built environment, james lauritz, commonwealth engine works

Digital image of "Princes Bridge to Aircraft or Greensborough" child's train ticket, single journey, November 1977. Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital image of train ticket. White with red strip and black text.train tickets, greensborough station, princes bridge

Rose Series postcard No. P 201, titled "Looking over Princes Bridge & The Yarra, Melbourne" with a view including Princes Bridge Railway Station, Batman Ave. tram terminus with two trams, The Yarra River, the bridge, and the entrance to Flinders St station. The south west curve track from Swanston Street into Flinders Street is visible along with various Safety Zones at the tram stop.Yields information about St Kilda Road, Princes Bridge c1941Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear. Two copies held.tramways, flinders st station, st kilda road, princes bridge station, princes bridge, yarra river, flinders st, trams

Rose Series postcard No. P 14226 titled "The Yarra, Princes Bridge & City Skyline, Melbourne", with the Flinders St Station main concourse buildings in the view along with Princes Bridge Station, Batman Ave. Tram terminus, St Paul's Cathedral, Gas and Fuel and Ball and Welch buildings in Flinders Street. There are some 8 trams in the view including several W2 class. There is a Craven A cigarette advertisement on the south end of the station buildings. See also item 8059 for a similar photo. The 1959 extension to the T&G building in Collins Street is well in hand. Yields information about Flinders Railways Station and the Melbourne skyline, late 1950s.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.trams, flinders st station, princes bridge station, st kilda road, swanston st, tramways, w2 class, batman ave, princes bridge

Handwritten notes (10 pages) and typed copies of letters on quart to paper, extract from Melbourne Tram Trust minutes and letter books, Public Work Departments letter books concerning the use and maintenance of the Princes Bridge, including railways that pass under it. Each set retained by a paper clip.trams, tramways, melbourne tramways trust, public works department, princes bridge

A Tait (Red Rattler) train bound for Princes Bridge crosses the Railway Trestle bridge. Shire of Eltham Offices and library in background (now demolished). Carriages had swinging doors and were "hot boxes" in the summer with no air conditioning. Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP4 black and white transparencyeltham shire office, eltham trestle bridge, red rattler, tait train, george coop

Colour postcard divided back - Biscay Greetings, series of featuring Princes Bridge from Batman Ave with the Arts Centre in the background. Image contained within a decorative oval. Back has space for name and address, stamp and a message and details of the postcard. Produced by Biscay Greetings, possibly mid to late 1980's. Card No. BG216trams, tramways, princes bridge

Rose Series postcard No. P 10650 titled "Princes Bridge and Government House Melbourne", looking southeast from Flinders St Station clock tower. Has three W2 class trams, (One at Batman Ave terminus), two buses and some horse-drawn vehicles in the view.,Yields information about St Kilda Road, mid 1930s.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear. Two copies held.trams, st kilda road, princes bridge, government house, w2 class, st kilda rd, tramways

Illustration on an A4 sheet of cable trams and other vehicles travelling over Princes Bridge, 1888. Has St Paul's Cathedral under construction and extensive smoke from steam locomotives travelling under the bridge. Looks north along Swanston St. Photo print also held.Demonstrates an artists view of a busy scene of Princes Bridge.Photocopy and black and white print. Two copies held.trams, tramways, princes bridge, swanston st, cable trams

Clearance certificate and covering letter - Brother Alan Aubrey Williams, Master Mason, ceased to be a member of Prince of Wales Mark Lodge No.8 under the United Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria and is clear of all dues. Dated at St.Kilda on 31st March, 1943. Covering letter addressed to Brother Williams signed by Norman Wright, Secretary, 12th April, 1942.

colour photographDeauville Flats, 18 Princes St, St Kilda

Colour postcard divided back, serrated edges - Biscay Greetings, series of featuring W2 601, passing under the 150th Victorian Anniversary arch on Princes Bridge during 1984 or 1985. Has the Arts Centre in the background. Tram has the destination of Glen Iris, Route 6. Back has space for name and address, stamp and a message and details of the postcard. Produced by Biscay Greetings, possibly mid to late 1980's. Card No. BG200. Two copies held.trams, tramways, princes bridge, 150th anniversary victoria, w2 class, ceremonies, route 6, tram 601