A Century of Collisions
Built in 1914, the Montague Street Bridge in South Melbourne has a clearance of just 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches). Despite numerous warning signs, trucks, buses, and vans regularly crash into it, making it one of Australia’s most infamous traffic hazards.
The 2016 Bus Crash
On February 22, 2016, a 3.6-meter-high (12-foot) passenger bus struck the bridge at 56 km/h (35 mph). The impact peeled back the roof, seriously injuring seven people, including the driver. The driver was initially sentenced to five years in prison but was released after ten months following an appeal.
Attempts to Stop the Hits
In 2016, Victoria installed warning gantries with hanging paddles to alert over-height vehicles. Despite 26 warning signs, collisions continue. Officials say raising the bridge would disrupt trams, and lowering the road is impossible due to underground utilities and flood risks.
A Cultural Phenomenon
The bridge has its own website tracking crashes, social media accounts, and even a comedic song. Local media regularly report on new crashes, with headlines joking that the bridge has “awoken to feed” after periods of inactivity.
Built in 1914, the Montague Street Bridge in South Melbourne has a clearance of just 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches). Despite numerous warning signs, trucks, buses, and vans regularly crash into it, making it one of Australia’s most infamous traffic hazards. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/3LkkcXiLvY
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 19, 2025