In the late 1950s, an
overpass was built to take Flinders Street over its intersection with
King Street, as part of the construction of the
King Street Bridge and Kings Way. The overpass extended from Downie Street to just east of Custom House Lane. Excavation commenced on the foundations of the southern side of the overpass on 6 January 1959 and, by 7 September, the first steel girders were erected. Upon completion of the first stage on 21 November 1959, trams were diverted onto temporary tracks laid by the
Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board on that part of the structure. On 23 November 1959, construction on the foundations on the northern side of the overpass commenced and, by 20 February 1960, the remainder of the steelwork on that portion was erected. Many businesses and properties were overshadowed by the overpass which resulted in property values dropping and the closure of hotels, shops and showrooms. Plans to revitalise the area in the early 1960s never eventuated. In May 2002, the state government announced it would be demolished, but it was May 2005 before work commenced, with preparations for Melbourne's
2006 Commonwealth Games acting as a catalyst. The project concluded in August. ==2017 car attack==