Perth’s CBD one-kilometre long causeway on track for completion by the end of 2024

A $100 million pedestrian-cycling bridge into Perth’s CBD — dubbed a “work of art” and a landmark for the city’s skyline — is one step closer to completion, amid an explosion in costs. The bridge, which will extend from the Victoria Park foreshore to Heirisson Island and then across to the CBD at Point Fraser, is now in place, is set to be completed before the end of the year, The “iconic” design pays tribute to WA’s Traditional Owners, and includes one pylon representing a boomerang, and another two pylons which represent digging sticks. Once completed, the two six-metre wide cable-stayed bridges will allow cyclists and pedestrians to easily cross the Swan River to and from Perth’s CBD. But the bridge’s biggest selling point will be its stay cables, measuring between 17 and 94 metres, and which can be lit up. “Commuters across Perth have watched this project come to life day to day, and with major structures in place, we’re one step closer to delivering this iconic new infrastructure for the city,” Premier Roger Cook said. “Our new causeway bridges will deliver a faster, safer trip to the city for pedestrians and cyclists, and will become a new landmark on the city skyline. “It’s a work of art, and it will soon have actual art portrayed on the strands of the bridge. It’s going to be such an iconic piece of transport infrastructure.” But the project has faced intense scrutiny over a blowout in costs, with the last State Budget revealing $84.1 million in new spending for “Causeway precinct works and activation”. The project includes landscaping and planting of 350 new trees on Heirisson Island, 140 new trees at Point Fraser and 200 new trees at McCallum Park. That money came on top of the $105.9 million which had been allocated to the bridge, originally forecast to cost just $50 million when it was originally announced in late 2020. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the causeway would become an iconic WA landmark. “More importantly, it will provide some 3000 pedestrians with safer access across the river, with the existing path on the Causeway Bridge well beyond its capacity,” she said. “This new infrastructure makes walking and riding safer and convenient, encouraging people to consider more active transport modes.” Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas said the causeway was a part of a push to improve active transport and create local jobs. “People in Burswood, Victoria Park and surrounding suburbs have been watching this project take shape every day, and now that the big structures are up, we’re getting really close to finishing this awesome new addition to the city,” she said. “The new causeway bridges will make it quicker and safer for walkers and cyclists to get to the city and will be a cool new feature on the skyline.”