Windan Bridge

Windan Bridge
View from under a six-lane road bridge over the Swan River next to a smaller railway bridge
Windan Bridge on the left, next to the Goongoongup railway bridge
Coordinates31°56′51″S 115°52′58″E / 31.9474°S 115.8828°E / -31.9474; 115.8828
CarriesRoad vehicles
CrossesSwan River
LocaleEast Perth, Western Australia
Characteristics
Total length403 m (1,322 ft)
No. of spans9
No. of lanes6
History
Constructed byTransfield Thiess joint venture
Construction start1998
Opened22 April 2000 (2000-04-22)
Location
Map

The Windan Bridge is a six-lane road bridge in East Perth, Western Australia which crosses the Swan River and forms part of the Graham Farmer Freeway. Opened in 2000, it sits next to the Goongoongup railway bridge which was built in 1995.

A joint venture between Transfield and Thiess Contractors was selected to construct the bridge from a short-list of three parties.[1] Construction began in 1998. The incrementally-launched bridge is 403 m (1,322 ft) long with nine spans and comprises two prestressed concrete box girders on two rows of piers.[2] A dual-use pedestrian/cycle pathway is located beneath the main deck.

The bridge is named after Windan, a wife of Yellagonga (sometimes spelt Yallgunga), chief of the Mooro tribe. Her body was buried around the area, according to her wish. The name was chosen in consultation with Noongar elders as part of the Graham Farmer Freeway project. A naming ceremony was held on 9 April 2000 where a plaque was unveiled and a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony performed.[3]

The opening of the Graham Farmer Freeway and Windan Bridge was celebrated with a community open day on 22 April 2000 where the public could walk or cycle through the Graham Farmer tunnel and across the bridge. The freeway and bridge was open to traffic the following day.[4]

The bridge is part of a popular exercise trail known as the Windan Bridge Loop, which goes along the banks of the Swan River and across the Windan Bridge and The Causeway.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ "Transfield Thiess joint venture of the City Northern Bypass" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. 13 November 1996. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Windan Bridge". BG&E. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Minister names new bridge over Swan River" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. 9 April 2000. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Graham Farmer Freeway to open on April 23" (Press release). Government of Western Australia. 12 February 2000. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Windan Bridge Loop". Trails WA. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Top family bike rides in Perth". The West Australian. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.