Melbourne Park’s new Edwin Flack Bridge is to open this weekend, which will be just in time for Saturday’s match between Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory. As a result pedestrians will now be able to walk direct from the MCG and Yarra Park to AAMI Park via the fantastic new Edwin Flack Bridge over Olympic Boulevard. “A big crowd is expected for the Melbourne Derby so the bridge opening is perfectly timed,” Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Major Projects, has said.

As they begin to cross the bridge, visitors will get a glimpse at the new Eastern Plaza and National Tennis Centre building, which are now in the final stages of preparation for use during the 2013 Australian Open. The Edwin Flack Bridge was designed as a true celebration of Melbourne Park’s unique sporting heritage. Not only is it named after Australia’s very first Olympic Gold medallist, but additionally, two sets of Olympic Rings from the 1956 Melbourne Games hang from the bridge over Olympic Boulevard.

“One set of the rings was originally hung on the Olympic Park grandstand while the other was used on the grandstand for the Olympic velodrome on the site now occupied by AAMI Park. I’m delighted to see the bridge completed and getting a workout a year ahead of schedule,” Dr Napthine said.