Description: National Road 79 is Victoria's shortest National Route, and probably the most useless, since it has become shorter and shorter, and the only reason it still exists is because it is within the metropolitan area where the alpha-numeric system has not taken over, except for some M routes. NR79 originally followed the Calder Highway from Melbourne to Mildura, then along Silver City Highway in New South Wales past Broken Hill (which eventually becomes an unsealed track). It is still NR79 in New South Wales to Broken Hill, but M79, A79 and MR43 have taken over Victoria's section, leaving a small section that is more useless than some metropolitan routes, although it is great for us road enthusiasts. NR79 begins on Kings Way at West Gate Freeway (M1), crossing the Yarra River into the CBD (although it is part of the City Bypass), along King Street, right up Curzon Street in North Melbourne, bending into Harker Street, then left along Flemington Road, disappearing once you hit the Western Link (MR43) exit. It used to follow what was then Tullamarine Freeway until 1989, linking it with Calder Freeway. There are some signs that label this route as MR79, which has also occured along NH31's southern terminus.

Length: NR79 is 5.5km in length.

Condition: NR79 is four (to six during peak hour) lane divided road up until Flemington Road, which is an eight lane, three carriageway road that continues into the CBD via Elizabeth Street. NR79 used to terminate on this road, but now follows one of the City Bypass routes.

Click on a thumbnail below to view the entire image:

	The first sign of NR79 (no pun intended), along Kings Way passing under West Gate Freeway (M1). Dec 2004.
	Heading north along Kings Bridge, which goes through Crown Casino. Dec 2004
	Heading down the other side across the Yarra River and into Melbourne CBD. Dec 2004
	Heading north along King Street. Dec 2004
	Heading south along King Street towards La Trobe Street. Dec 2004
	RD sign southbound before La Trobe Street. Notice the NR79 shield has coverplated either NR1 or ALT1. Dec 2004.
	One of the RD signs that shows this route as MR79, northbound before Dudley Street. Dec 2004
	Trailblazer, northbound on King Street. Dec 2004
	View of King Street heading north towards Dudley Street. Dec 2004
	ID sign on Dudley Street (NH31). Notice the flourecent city bypass sign. Dec 2004
	ID sign on Curzon Street, North Melbourne. Dec 2004
	Trailblazers facing south-east on Flemington Road as it crosses Racecourse Road. The left arrow on NH8 should be facing straight ahead. Dec 2004
	Looking south-east down Flemington Road, Parkville. Dec 2004
	This is where NR79 disappears into thin air, well really it used to follow Tullamarine Freeway to the right before CityLink was opened. Dec 2004

For further reading offsite:Ozroads: National Route 79

Main Roads Victoria

 

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