Stretching from Victoria Park to Point Fraser in Perth’s CBD via Heirisson Island, Boorloo Bridge has been officially opened to the public.
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.
The bridge has been constructed 90 metres downstream of the existing heritage-listed Causeway Bridge, and measures six metres wide and one kilometre long.
“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,” said Western Australian Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“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,” she said.
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.
“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,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King.
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.
