Fremantle Traffic Bridge

Fremantle Traffic Bridge
Replacement works of the old bridge in November 2024
Coordinates32°02′28″S 115°45′16″E / 32.0412°S 115.7545°E / -32.0412; 115.7545 (Fremantle Traffic Bridge)
CarriesQueen Victoria Street
CrossesSwan River
LocaleFremantle
OwnerMain Roads Western Australia
Preceded byStirling Bridge
Followed byFremantle Railway Bridge
Characteristics
Total length219 m (719 ft)
No. of lanes4
History
Opened15 December 1939
Location
Map

The Fremantle Traffic Bridge carries Queen Victoria Street over the Swan River, linking the suburbs of North Fremantle and Fremantle in Perth, Western Australia.

History

Construction of the new bridge, c. 1935, with the Old Fremantle Bridge next to it.

With the 1866-built bridge connecting North Fremantle and Fremantle in urgent need of replacement, work commenced on a replacement in November 1937.[1] It was envisaged to have a short lifespan with Fremantle Harbour expected to be extended further east.[2] Hence it was built out of timber rather than concrete. It opened on 15 December 1939.[3][4][5]

Construction of a replacement bridge commenced in mid-2024 with completion scheduled for 2026.[6] In August 2021, the project was altered with the new bridge to be built to the west of the current bridge rather than the east.[needs update][7]

References

  1. ^ Work Starts on Traffic Bridge Daily News 23 November 1937 page 5
  2. ^ Swan & Canning Rivers Bridges Australian Engineering Week Tour 2012 Engineers Australia 2012 pages 20/21
  3. ^ Traffic Bridge The West Australian 16 December 1939 page 16
  4. ^ Fremantle Bridge The West Australian 18 December 1939 page 14
  5. ^ Fremantle Traffic Bridge Westralian Worker 22 December 1939 page 5
  6. ^ Swan River Crossings Main Roads Western Australia
  7. ^ Fremantle Traffic Bridge to be replaced by altered Swan River Crossings project after backlash ABC News 21 August 2021

Media related to Fremantle Traffic Bridge at Wikimedia Commons