Planned for nearly a century, when the time came to build a permanent link across the Lower Yarra River, a relatively new style of bridge, the box-girder, was chosen. Using new computer technology assisting the engineers to design a bridge that was too complex to calculate by hand, and using a unique lifting strategy promised time and cost savings. Ultimately though when the pieces didn't fit together in the air, their attempts to make them fit, didn't work. We dive into what went wrong on Australia's largest ever industrial disaster.
With John Chidgey.
Formal Report:
Victorian Royal Commission Report (PDF)Cleddau Bridge disasterKentledgeWest Gate TunnelSlide ruleBox girder bridgeCleddau BridgeWidening the West Gate FreewayMelbourne October 15 WeatherThe West Gate Bridge MemorialRobbo Bennett’s TributeHow the West Gate Bridge collapse changed Melbourne1970 West Gate Bridge DisasterWest Gate Bridge Image GalleryThe West Gate Bridge CollapseWest Gate Bridge Under Construction, 1969
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Episode Gold Producers:
'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:
Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.