One of the most iconic structures ever delivered in Perth is now open, with thousands of walkers, runners and cyclists heading across the new Boorloo Bridge today.
The bridge has been constructed 90 metres downstream of the existing heritage-listed Causeway Bridge, and measures six metres wide and one kilometre long.
Stretching from Victoria Park to Point Fraser in Perth's CBD via Heirisson Island, the new bridge will significantly enhance connectivity, safety, and amenity for approximately 3,000 pedestrians and cyclists that currently use the significantly constrained path on the Causeway Bridge.
Despite only opening today, the iconic design of the bridge has already positioned the structure as one of the most defining landmarks on the Swan River and Perth skyline.
The bridge features a 52-metre-high boomerang pylon on the city side and two 46-metre-high digging stick pylons on the Victoria Park side. A total of 64 steel cables help to suspend the bridge from the three pylons.
Around 17,000 LED lights have been installed around the 64 steel cables, turning the bridge into a stunning lighting feature over the Swan River.
The lighting will turn the bridge into a digital canvas using colour, movement, and imagery, and promote Perth and Western Australia to local, national, and global audiences.
The area around the bridge has also been transformed with significant landscaping, including around 100,000 new plants, trees and shrubs. New seating and rest areas, as well as public art on the bridge abutments have also been completed.
The project has provided a critical source of local jobs, with the entire bridge structure being manufactured in Western Australia. During the construction phase, an estimated 700 local jobs have been created.
Boorloo Bridge recognises Boorloo as the Noongar name for Perth and the design has embedded Whadjuk Noongar cultural recognition, acknowledging the Aboriginal heritage significance of Heirisson Island and the Swan River.
Quotes attributed to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Today is a historic day for Perth, with the new Boorloo Bridge creating a more vibrant, liveable, and connected city.
"Our Government is proud to have been a partner in such an extraordinary project and we'll continue to invest in the infrastructure projects that help drive the economy, create jobs and set Western Australia up for the future."
Quotes attributed to Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This was a once in a generation opportunity to not only deliver a desperately needed piece of critical infrastructure, but to also create an iconic structure that Western Australians can be proud of.
"We've never seen a structure like this in Perth and I think the community will be blown away when they see it for the first time.
"Not only do we have a new bridge that will serve the community for many decades to come, but we also now have a stunning new light feature that will be an iconic landmark on the Swan River.
"Our Government will continue to invest in the infrastructure our State needs, helping drive the economy, create jobs and set Western Australia up for the future."
Quotes attributed to Western Australian Lands Minister and Perth MLA John Carey:
"It is brilliant to mark the completion and opening of the new Causeway Bridge, recently named Boorloo Bridge, and this iconic infrastructure project will now provide a new gateway and entrance to Perth.
"People that travel on the existing Causeway Bridge path know how challenging it can be, and the new Boorloo Bridge will significantly enhance connectivity, safety, and amenity.
"The Causeway Bridge project is part of the Cook Labor Government's revitalisation of our city, and we're investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build new infrastructure, create jobs and support economic growth to attract more people to Perth."
Quotes attributed to the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Federal Member for Perth Patrick Gorman:
"The Albanese Government is delivering to make Perth a more family-friendly and beautiful city, just some of the things I know that are important to my community.
"The 17,000 LED lights adorning the 64 steel cables, reflected on the surface of the Swan River is such a beautiful addition to our city.
"I am so pleased to see our local values achieving national results for our community."
Quotes attributed to Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas:
"This project has also been a testament to the local manufacturing capabilities in Western Australia, with the entire bridge structure built and manufactured here,
creating an estimated 700 local jobs along the way."
Quotes attributed to Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley:
"Delivery of this spectacular piece of infrastructure is a game changer for our community, ensuring Victoria Park, Matagarup (Heirisson Island) and Boorloo (Perth City) are more connected than ever before.
"Not only will the improved safety and amenity of Boorloo Bridge encourage more people to walk, wheel and ride across the Swan River but the structure is set to become a defining landmark that we can all be proud of.
"Significant landscaping works have also transformed the public areas around the bridge with about 100,000 new plants, trees and shrubs added, as well as new seating, rest areas and public art creating welcoming spaces for the community to enjoy."
