Causeway pedestrian bridges set for December opening

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 about 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 of which every Western Australian can be proud."

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."