What’s happening
Planning and development continues on the Swan River Crossings Project, one of Fremantle’s most significant infrastructure projects, which will see the replacement of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and construction of a rail bridge across the Swan River.
The alignment of the new crossings has now been confirmed, with construction of two new bridges (one road and one passenger rail) being built between the existing Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the existing rail bridge.
Our focus is now on developing the new bridge design, incorporating transport needs, urban design, heritage and future planning.
Investigation into water, services, geotechnical conditions and road pavement will help inform the design development. These investigations are expected to be completed mid-2022.
- Replace the deteriorating Fremantle Traffic Bridge.
- Build bigger and wider paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Build a new rail bridge dedicated to passenger rail.
- Build the next stage of the Fremantle shared path, which will connect North Fremantle Station to Swan River.
The Fremantle Traffic Bridge was opened in 1939 as a temporary structure. The bridge's structure has been deteriorating over several years, and despite extensive strengthening and maintenance works, the bridge needs to be replaced as a priority.
Over the last five years, approximately $23.5 million has been spent on repair works which focused on minimising the risks of vessels hitting the bridge. The bridge continues to be maintained; however, the 2021 routine bridge inspection confirmed that timber and steel elements of the bridge are continuing to deteriorate. The bridge carries approximately 23,000 vehicles each day.
Read more about the bridges’ current condition in our Bridge Condition Fact Sheet and Preliminary Findings report.
Stakeholder consultation started in July 2019 and was followed by a wider community and stakeholder engagement program that started in August 2020.
Engagement with the community will continue throughout the project development, design and delivery.Previous community consultation
Community Design Consultation August 2021
Our community design forums and online design survey focussed on gathering input and ideas on the bridge design, the north bank amenity, the south bank amenity, the heritage interpretation, and walking and cycling connectivity across the Swan River.
All the feedback has been shared with the project design team of architects, urban landscape architects and design engineers who are now using these ideas to influence the design and aesthetics outcomes for the project.
Please contact us if you wish to view the recording of our online Community Design Forum
Proposed Alignment Options - May 2021This consultation period provided an opportunity for community to give feedback on four proposed bridge alignment options, through forums, workshops, pop-up information stands, written updates, dozens of face-to-face meetings, and through our online visualisation tool which showcased the alignment options in a 3D visual setting.
Online Alignment Options Assessment Survey - May 2021
Almost 1,000 people completed the online survey where they were asked to apply a sentiment to each of the proposed four bridge alignment options and associated traffic impacts. The feedback gathered from the survey has been collated and fed into the analysis of the four alignment options.
Community Forum - May 2021
This forum of invited stakeholders and community members provided an opportunity to share and discuss the four alignment options under assessment and to promote the future community and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Swan River Crossings Alignment Forum May 2021 – Presentation (PDF)
- Summary of Alignment Options May 2021 (PDF)
Public Transport Authority - November 2020
Response to rail operational capacity concerns and questions - PDF (649 KB)Community Forum - November 2020
This forum of invited stakeholders and community members provided an opportunity to share and discuss the outcomes of the investigations into the bridge alignment options tabled at the previous forum in October.
- Swan River Crossings Alignment Forum Nov 2020 - Presentation (PDF)
- Swan River Crossings Forum Nov 2020 - Summary (PDF)
- Swan River Crossings Alignment Forum Nov 2020 - Response to Rail Capacity Concerns and Questions (PDF)
Community Forum - October 2020
This forum of invited stakeholders and community members provided an opportunity for Main Roads to share the Swan River Crossings project objectives and discuss the range of bridge alignments.
- Swan River Crossings Alignment Forum Oct 2020 - Presentation (PDF)
- Swan River Crossings Alignment Forum Oct 2020 - Summary (PDF)
- Previously considered alignment option maps for road and rail bridges (PDF)
Community Online Survey - August 2020
This online survey recorded more than 3,800 visits to the project page and more than 300 people took part. The feedback gathered from the survey has been a key part in understanding stakeholder and community needs and expectations for the project.
Community Drop-in Sessions - August and September 2020
More than 130 people attended community drop in sessions to find out about the project and provide their feedback on a range of issues. We are continuing to meet and brief industry and community groups and local governments.
The Fremantle Traffic Bridge is heritage listed and therefore requires more considerations for its future. We continue to engage with the community and the Heritage Council of WA (HCWA) to ensure that heritage values are celebrated and respectfully integrated within the project’s urban design.
To achieve this, we have engaged architects and heritage consultants to guide the design and develop a heritage interpretation plan to take both Aboriginal and European history into account.
View our Design Inspiration Document which was designed to prompt conversations and includes stories and themes shared with us by the Whadjuk Elders Advisory Group.
The project is being developed to align with the State Planning Policy 7.0 Design of the Built Environment.
We have produced an Annual Sustainability Report covering the work we have undertaken in the 2020/2021 financial year. The report explores the economic, environmental and social initiatives we have or will be implementing on the project.
View the Swan River Crossings Annual Project Sustainability Report 2021.
Construction and project updates
- Project Update - December 2021 - PDF (369 KB)
- Project Update - October 2021 - PDF (209 KB)
- Project Update - August 2021 - Design Inspiration and Online Survey - PDF (341 KB)
- Project Update - August 2021 - Design Forums - PDF (223 KB)
- Project Update - August 2021 - Bridge Alignment Announced - PDF (595 KB)
- Project Update - June 2021 - PDF (203 KB)
- Project Update - May 2021 - PDF (508 KB)
- Project Update - May 2021 - Alignment Options - PDF (13.3MB)
- Project Update - March 2021 - PDF (680 KB)
- Project Update - January 2021 - PDF (1 MB)
- Project Update - August 2020 - PDF (7 MB)
Project information
- Design Inspiration - October 2021 - PDF (6.7 MB)
- Frequently Asked Questions - PDF (196 KB)
- Fact Sheet - Fremantle Traffic Bridge Condition - PDF (735 KB)
- Fremantle Traffic Bridge Preliminary findings regarding bridge condition - PDF (4.0MB)
Videos
Media Statements
- Design phase begins for Swan River Crossings Project - 24 August 2021
- Community informs alignment for Swan River Crossings project - 2 August 2021
- Next phase of community consultation begins for Swan River Crossings Project - 11 May 2021
- Community feedback guides next stage of Swan River Crossings project - 2 February 2021
- Swan River Crossing reaches new milestone - 17 August 2020
- Community feedback sought on Fremantle Traffic Bridge replacement - 6 August 2020
Funding
The project is funded by the State ($115 million) and Commonwealth ($115 million) governments.
Next phase of community consultation begins for Swan River Crossings Project
Design phase begins for Swan River Crossings Project
and wider traffic bridge
route for path users
passenger rail line