Perth's new
pedestrian and cyclist bridges will open just days before Christmas on Sunday,
22 December, with a community and family-friendly evening event to celebrate
the opening.
Two six-metre-wide
cable-stayed bridges have been constructed over the Swan River, 90 metres
downstream of the existing Causeway Bridge, delivering a segregated path to improve
connectivity, safety and amenity for around 3000 pedestrians and cyclists
heading in and out of the city each day.
The
one-kilometre river crossing connects Victoria Park foreshore to Perth via Heirisson
Island.
Once open, the
new iconic structures will be officially named Boorloo Bridge, in recognition of the Whadjuk Noongar culture
and rich history embedded into the design of the bridges.
The meaning of the new name reflects the
Noongar name for Perth - Boorloo.
The bridge
includes a 52-metre-high boomerang pylon along with two 46-metre-high digging
stick pylons, which can now be seen amongst the Perth CBD skyline.
The bridge
will also feature state-of-the-art lighting, which will be capable of
displaying moving images and provide the Swan River with an iconic structure
for many decades to come.
The area
around the bridges will have unique public art, new seating and rest points
allowing visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery.
A significant
landscaping effort has also been undertaken with nearly 100,000 native trees,
plants and shrubs planted around the new bridge.
Construction
of the bridges commenced in 2023 with the works undertaken by the Causeway Link
Alliance, comprising Civmec, Seymour Whyte, WSP and Main Roads.
Jointly funded
by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, the project has supported
around 700 jobs.
More details
about the free community event will be announced in the coming weeks.
Quotes
attributable to Western Australian Premier Roger Cook:
"Our significant investments are transforming the Perth CBD - turning the city
into a modern and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
"The new
pedestrian bridges are already becoming an icon on the Swan River,
infrastructure that every Western Australian can be proud of."
Quotes
attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and
Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"The iconic Boorloo
Bridge will provide better transport connections for those choosing active
transport for their journeys in and out of Perth.
"The opening
in December will be an historic moment for Perth, and an exciting opportunity
for community members to see and experience their city from a new
perspective."
Quotes
attributable to Federal Cities Minister Jenny McAllister:
"The Albanese
Government is committed to making our cities vibrant, liveable and connected.
"Our
Government has provided a new and safer crossing for pedestrians and cyclists
whilst creating a wonderful new landmark for Perth.
"I am excited
to see this project come to fruition for the people of Perth and tourists
visiting Western Australia."
Quotes
attributable to Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"There has
been real community excitement around this project, so I am thrilled we can
provide people with an early Christmas present, an open Boorloo Bridge on the
22nd of December.
"This is an
incredible structure that will become an iconic part of our city skyline for
decades to come.
"The current
walking and cycling paths on the Causeway are significantly constrained, no
longer fit for purpose or safe for people that use them.
"These
bridges will not only provide a safer way to cross the river, they'll also be
the first in Western Australia to include state-of-the-art lighting that will
be capable of showing moving images.
"The spaces
around the new bridge have also been transformed with nearly 100,000 new trees,
plants and shrubs, plus public art and new spaces for people to recreate and
enjoy our beautiful Swan River."
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Lands Minister
and Perth MLA John Carey:
"The
Causeway Bridge is an important transformational project for Perth and will
provide a gateway entrance to East Perth that will ultimately bring more people
to the Perth CBD.
"The name -
Boorloo Bridge - highlights the importance of Aboriginal place naming in
Western Australia.
"These iconic
new bridges will not only serve as the new gateway to Perth, they will also provide
a much a safer river crossing for thousands of pedestrians and cyclists."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Perth Patrick Gorman:
"This is a fantastic early Christmas
present for the people of Perth. Jingle bells and bike bells will ring across
the Swan River with 3000 pedestrians and cyclists who will benefit from these
bridges every day.
"This project would not have happened
without a significant investment commitment from the Albanese Government.
"I thank the 700 people who worked to
make this bridge a reality, making Perth a more family-friendly city and
turning our local values into national results."
Quotes attributable
to Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas:
"People in
Burswood, Victoria Park and surrounding suburbs have been watching the bridges
take shape every day, and now they will be able to enjoy the great new places
and spaces the bridges provide to pause, rest and enjoy the bridges and
their surrounds.
"The bridges will make it quicker and
safer for people to get in and out of the city and will be an iconic new
landmark on the skyline.
"This is
possible thanks to Labor's focus to create local jobs and improve active
transport, making Perth an exciting place to visit."
Quotes
attributable to Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:
"The new
Bridge will serve as a crucial connection between Victoria Park, Matagarup
(Heirisson Island), and Boorloo (Perth City). They will enhance connectivity
between our inner-city suburbs and the Perth CBD.
"Our Government's
investment in this initiative will encourage more people to walk, wheel and
ride in and around the CBD and Victoria Park, boosting vibrancy and
liveability."
