Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges

Two cable stayed bridges will be constructed, approximately 90 metres downstream of the existing Causeway Bridge, comprising a six metre wide segregated path, connecting Victoria Park foreshore, Heirisson Island and Perth’s CBD at Point Fraser. There will be dedicated rest points along the bridges, which are being built for path users, not vehicles.

The innovative design has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders including local governments, Traditional Owners and specialist groups, taking into consideration path user requirements, local developments on either side of the bridges, future maritime height allowances and the needs of river users. The design will reflect and embed Whadjuk Noongar culture, recognising the significance of Aboriginal heritage at Heirisson Island and the Swan River.

The scope also includes a number of enabling activities and activation works for the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges project. These include: 

• Temporary works to facilitate the bridges construction, including the realignment of Riverside Drive and the Principal Shared Path (PSP) connections.
• The replacement of a near 100-year-old water main on a new alignment.
• Temporary river works to facilitate construction and boating navigation during the construction period.
• Enhanced landscaping and design elements to meet City of Perth and the Town of Victoria Park aspirations for the new bridges.
• Inclusion of Aboriginal sculptures and installations to recognise and respect the importance of the area to the Whadjuk Noongar people and also to educate and celebrate the Aboriginal history of the surrounding area.
• Enhanced lighting to maximise the opportunity the unique design offers to create a landmark, a sense of place and promote Perth at both a domestic and international level.

In April 2022, a contract was awarded to Causeway Link Alliance, comprising Civmec Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd, Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd and Main Roads WA, to design and construct this iconic project.

We recognise that this site holds strong cultural significance to Aboriginal people. We acknowledge the importance of ensuring the cultural heritage values of the area are respected, protected and celebrated. As such, we expect extensive, ongoing engagement with local Traditional Custodians and Noongar community members. 

We hosted the inaugural Aboriginal Elders advisory group meeting in September 2021 and have held many further meetings to date. The group’s name, Matagarup Elders Group (MEG), was decided by its members and is symbolic of the project footprint on the Swan River near Heirisson Island, which Aboriginal people refer to as “matagarup”, meaning “a place where the river is only leg deep” (also known as “muddy knees”).

The MEG will provide valuable cultural input and inform the design of the bridges and the pathway. Traditionally, the site of this project had specific areas for “women’s” and “men’s” business, therefore the MEG consists of eighteen members, with equal male and female representation for each of the families recognised as having cultural connection to the area.

As part of the development of tender proposals, members of the MEG were involved in interactive workshops with the proponents to ensure their input to design was captured meaningfully and appropriately.  

By acknowledging the deep cultural significance and connection to the land, and involving Matagarup Elders throughout the planning, design and construction of this project, we strive to ensure that together, we will deliver an iconic, culturally-sensitive legacy project that all stakeholders and community members can connect to with a sense of shared ownership and immense satisfaction.

We acknowledge that the Swan River and Heirisson Island are very significant to the Traditional Custodians of the area and the wider Perth community.

Whilst the bridges and connecting path alignment has been designed to minimise the impacts and removal of trees, some vegetation clearing will be required on Heirisson Island and at Point Fraser. These clearing works will commence in early 2023.

We will be using bridge construction techniques that minimise impacts on the surrounding environment, including the marine, bird and land animals. The kangaroos that currently live on Heirisson Island will remain.

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) that defines the minimum management requirements during construction will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders and once all environmental surveys are complete.

With construction due to commence in the northern navigational channel in early 2024, a recent online webinar was held inviting recreational and commercial river users to discuss marine construction methodology and how impacts from construction will be managed by the project.

 Please see below for a recording of the webinar.

 For ease of access and if you are only interested in the marine construction discussion, skip to 18.23 to hear the overview.



During development of the concept design in 2019, the Department of Transport led engagement with key stakeholders including Traditional Custodians, local governments, relevant government agencies, service providers, specialist groups and river operators.

Extensive engagement with local Traditional Custodians and Whadjuk Noongar community members included the design and alignment (location) of the bridges.

We have continued this consultation with all key stakeholders, including local businesses, to gain valuable input during the design process.

We want to hear from you

We value your feedback - The Causeway Link Alliance invites all stakeholders and community members to complete a survey to let us know how effective our communications are and how we can best communicate with you on this project. The survey should take no more than five minutes. 

Opportunities to participate in consultation activities will be offered to stakeholders and project subscribers. Subscribe for project updates and be the first to know when consultation opportunities are available. 

 Project Updates

• Project Update - July 2024 - PDF (627 KB)
• Project Update - April 2024 - PDF (613 KB)
• Construction Fact Sheet - February 2024 - (PDF 839 KB)
• Project Update - December 2023 - PDF (851 KB)
• Project Update - October 2023 - PDF (884 KB)
• Project Update - June 2023 - PDF - (916 KB)
• Project Update - April 2023 - PDF (363 KB)
• Construction Update - March 2023 - Heirisson Island - PDF (503 KB)
• Project Update - February 2023 - PDF (865 KB)
• Project Update - December 2022 - PDF (305 KB)

 Project Information

• Public Art Fact Sheet - August 2024 - PDF (11.65 MB)
• Next Steps to Bridge Completion - May to December 2024 - PDF (1.52 MB)
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fact Sheet - April 23 - PDF (56.7 MB)
• Environment Fact Sheet - April 2023 - PDF (705 KB)

 Media Statements

• Joint Media Statement - Causeway bridges crossing now in place - 4 August 2024
• Perth’s $100m Causeway pedestrian/cyclist bridges project wins Cycling Luminaries Award in Canberra - WestCycle - 17 November 2023
• Joint media statement - Construction starts on new gateway to city - 1 March 2023
• Major boost for the Perth City Deal - 17 March 2022
• Proponents shortlisted for iconic new Swan River Causeway Bridge - 28 April 2021
• Expressions of interest now open to build iconic new Causeway Bridge - 29 January 2021
• New Swan River bridge to be built as part of WA Recovery - 26 August 2020
• Building for Tomorrow program a key feature of economic recovery - 23 August 2020

 Funding

Funding has been allocated as part of the Perth City Deal, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments. The allocation for the bridge component is $105.9 million, with further funding provided for enabling and activation works, including enhanced lighting and landscaping elements, and replacement of water mains.  

How are the bridges’ deck surfaces prepared for the segregated path for pedestrians and cyclists?

When the bridges are complete, they will provide a 6-metre-wide segregated path, approximately one kilometre long over the Swan River, linking McCallum Park in Victoria Park with Point Fraser in the City of Perth via Heirisson Island.

The bridges’ deck surface will be sealed with a special product that will provide waterproofing, as well as a safe, non-slip durable surface to the finished path for pedestrians and cyclists.

The coating bonds effectively to steel bridges compared to other products used on bridge deck surfaces, such as recycled glass. It also includes bauxite, which helps to achieve the required surface characteristics needed for the segregated path.

The coating used on the bridges has been used on offshore platforms in Australia for years and on award winning bridges across Europe, performing flawlessly for many years.

As the bridges are providing a segregated path with dedicated lanes for cyclists (encompassing all faster moving wheeled transportation) and pedestrians (encompassing the slower foot traffic), the lanes will be distinguishable by different coloured coatings, combined with line markings.

Why is asphalt not being used for the bridges’ deck surface?

Asphalt is not used on any steel decks across Australia.

Asphalt is very difficult to apply to steel decks as it requires multiple special layers to provide a strong, durable bond with the deck.

What design feature(s) have been included in the bridges to manage lightning strikes?

All structural elements, including the deck and pylons, are earthed through the ground via the bridges’ supporting piles that go deep into the riverbed. All stainless-steel elements, such as handrails and seats, are isolated from the weathering steel via neoprene (a synthetic rubber) and then connected to the deck with earthing cables.

Why has weathering steel been used to construct the bridges?

The design choice of constructing the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges with weathering steel, provides a range of benefits including a unique architectural finish and greater sustainable outcomes for the project. In total, 1,900 tonnes of weathering steel have been used in fabricating the bridges.

Weathering steel has a higher strength than standard steel, which contributes to the lower weight and slenderness of the bridge decks. During construction fewer temporary supports were required, reducing the disturbance of the riverbed.

Weathering steel has been used since the 1930s in railway wagons, bridges, buildings, sculptures, and landscaping. It has been widely adopted for bridge building and it is estimated up to 45% of new steel bridges globally are constructed using some form of weathering steel. Here in Western Australia, in addition to these bridges; weathering steel has been used at Yagan Square in Perth’s CBD, and on the Sky Walk in Kalbarri National Park.

Will the bridges be painted?

Weathering steel has contributed to improving the sustainability of the project by avoiding the need to paint (and repaint) the bridges.

The enhanced corrosion resistance of weathering steel means that it can be used without the need for expensive paint systems. Removing the need to paint, significantly lowered the fabrication costs as well as ongoing maintenance costs. Eliminating painting reduces chemicals and energy needed to paint the bridges as well as minimising disruption caused to path users by future maintenance.

Weathering steel is very durable, with a long product life, providing the bridges with an expected life of more than one hundred years. At the end of the bridges’ life, the weathering steel can be reclaimed and recycled.

Why does weathering steel change colour?

Weathering steel is a high strength, structural steel that in a suitable environment develops an oxide layer or ‘patina.’ When exposed to alternate wet and dry environmental conditions, the colour of the patina forms and changes organically over time. On the Causeway Bridges, this will result in the steel becoming textured and giving the bridges a unique identity, effectively ‘weathering’ the steel in a natural way. Over time, the bridges’ patina will evolve and when fully formed and weathered, which can take at least 8 years, the bridges will take on a distinctive natural appearance. They are likely to become a consistent dark brown to a purple colour, blending in with their environment.

 How are the impacts on the Swan River being managed during river works? 

The Causeway Link Alliance is managing the works on behalf of Main Roads and has developed a Vessel Management Plan to ensure vessels and other marine operations, are operated without compromising the safety of river users, the Project’s workforce, nearby structures or adversely impacting the marine environment.

There are several management controls that will be implemented to minimise potential impacts to aquatic fauna during construction. These include underwater noise and vibration monitoring and the engagement of Marine Mammal Observers during all in-river works. This will ensure that no potentially harmful activities (such as pile driving) are undertaken if fauna is present within the designated exclusion areas.

Other controls include the implementation of a Vessel Management Plan to manage the interface with other river users and a robust water quality program to monitor the health of the river during construction and determine if there are any impacts on the ecology.

 How will you be protecting the kangaroos on Heirisson Island during construction? 

The Western Grey Kangaroos that live within the fenced off area on the most western side of Heirisson Island will not be impacted by the works and will remain there during construction. Noise and vibration monitoring has commenced and will be in place on Heirisson Island during construction to ensure the kangaroos inhabiting the area are not adversely affected. A vet will be available to assess the kangaroos regularly throughout the works.

 What is the duration of the river works?

Works will start in the river, in the southern channel, in November 2023 and are anticipated to be completed in both channels in Spring 2024.

Works will commence in the northern navigation channel in early 2024. Therefore, there will be no impact on commercial and recreational river users prior to 2024.

Works will be undertaken across all seasons however seasonal variations will be monitored and managed including river flows and tidal variance, to mitigate disruption to construction machinery and the passage of river users through the northern navigation channel.

Some construction activities are weather-dependent and therefore the exact timing of specific construction activities may change.

 Will river users be able to pass through the northern navigation channel outside of construction hours? 

Yes. Whilst working at night is not expected, there is a requirement for safety and navigational lighting to enable the safe passage of vessels through the work zone outside of standard working hours.

During construction shutdowns, such as the Christmas period, construction vessels will be moored near the McCallum Park site in the southern channel or off-site, and the northern navigation channel will be clear for vessels to pass through.

 What are the hours of operation for work activities in the river? 

Works will be undertaken during daylight hours Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm. At times there may be requirements for out of hours work on Sundays and at night. All out of hours work requires Local Government approval and advance notice will be provided to river users.

Working at night is not expected, however in breakdown or emergency situations working during hours of darkness may be required. Lighting of barges and work vessels will be in accordance with Prevention of Collision at Sea Regulations.

 Will access to permanent moorings in the vicinity of the river works be maintained? 

Yes, access to the following moorings will be maintained:

• On The Point (306 Riverside Drive East Perth) reserved for private commercial operators.
• The operations of the DBCA Victoria Park Operations Centre
• Trinity College Boat Ramps.

 What marine equipment will be used during the works? 

There will be multiple work boats, two spotter vessels (to assist river users in navigating safe passage) and up to two barges will be in the water at one time. The main barges consist of:

1. A crane barge with a 400-tonne crawler crane. This barge will be 48m long and 24m wide – almost the size of an Olympic swimming pool!
2. A Jack-up barge (JUB), which is used to hold piles so they are not affected by marine-based influences (e.g. river currents and sea state).

 Will the new bridges be high enough to allow boats to pass underneath?

The bridges have been designed to cater for navigational clearance and future sea level rises. The new bridge on the Point Fraser side will have 6.2 metres of navigational clearance, while the new bridge on the McCallum Park side will have 5.1 metres of navigational clearance, allowing for smooth passage of marine vessels.

 Why is the bridge curved and not straight?

The bridge design is curved to minimise the impact on existing trees, to assist in accommodating the height requirements of the navigation channel and to slow down cyclists traveling downhill when approaching key intersection points.

The design has been extensively workshopped with key stakeholders, and the State Design Review Panel supports the elegant, curved form of the bridge structures, which blend into the natural environment.

 Are you doing anything with Yagan’s statue on Heirisson Island?

The MEG have requested that Yagan’s statue, currently located on the southern end of Heirisson Island, be relocated to a more prominent position within the vicinity of the new pedestrian and cyclist bridges.

The statue holds great symbolism and value to the Noongar community; not only for what Yagan stood for as a person, but also because of the recent history, where a repatriation mission was successful in the return of Yagan’s head from the British government in 1997, where it had been since 1833. We are investigating options to relocate Yagan’s statue to a more prominent location within the project area.

 How will the bridges improve access to Heirisson Island?

The new bridges will cross Heirisson Island, providing an opportunity to highlight the important role the Island had in Perth’s Noongar heritage. This project will provide improved connection for both pedestrians and cyclists to the river and foreshore area on the island, while enhancing the natural environment through landscaping and showcasing Whadjuk Noongar heritage. It is anticipated that this will result in activation of the island, welcoming visitors and locals alike.

 What will happen to the path on the existing Causeway traffic bridge?

The existing Causeway traffic bridge is heritage listed and will not be modified as part of this project. The current path will remain and path users will continue to have access, both during construction and once the new bridges are open.