Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges | Main Roads Western Australia

What's Happening

Temporary closure for feature-lighting works

Staged maintenance and repairs to the feature-lighting system on Boorloo Bridge will take place from Tuesday 22 September to Friday 6 November 2026.

Works will be completed on one bridge at a time and are programmed around major public events. Activities will require 24-hour temporary full closures of the bridge under work, with works also scheduled to be completed at night to minimise the overall duration.

Please rest assured that Boorloo Bridge remains safe and will be fully open on weekends and outside of advertised closure periods to facilitate events and continued access for the community.

Maintenance and repair works are progressing, with works now scheduled to return to the McCallum Park side of Boorloo Bridge. Subject to completion of works on the Point Fraser side, the McCallum Park side will close during advertised closure periods.

McCallum Park closure:

6am Friday 30 October to 6am Saturday 31 October 2026
6am Monday 2 November to 6am Tuesday 3 November 2026

Path users will be detoured via the Causeway Traffic Bridge and Heirisson Island to reconnect with the Boorloo Bridge path. The surrounding path network on Heirisson Island remains accessible while works are underway.

The closure applies to pedestrians, cyclists and all other path users, not river users. Please proceed with caution and adhere to detour signage.

Works are subject to weather, site and operational requirements. We appreciate your patience while these essential works are completed.

Watch the project construction of this beautiful bridge from start to finish!

This timelapse captures early works right through to the community opening on 22 December 2024. Since then, it’s been used by thousands of people every day, better connecting Western Australians to the city and surrounds.

From sunset and midnight daily, the bridge lighting creates a breathtaking visual experience you won’t want to miss. Enjoy the stunning lighting created with over 17,000 LED lights from the vantage points identified here.

To find out details of this week’s lighting program, please visit our lighting page here.

How were the bridges’ design and location chosen?

What do the digging stick-inspired pylons represent?

What does the boomerang-inspired pylon represent?

Will access to the northern navigation channel be maintained during the river works?

What construction impacts will there be?

How will the bridges be constructed?

How do river users keep informed about river works?

Will access to the southern channel be maintained for water skiers during the river works?

Scope

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.

* The scope does not include the existing Causeway Bridge, which will remain in place for vehicles.

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.

Aboriginal Engagement and Heritage

An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been developed which outlines how the project will identify, manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage. As part of this, archaeological digging has been undertaken at specific sites on Heirisson Island.

Check out the video below for more information.

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.

Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges - Aboriginal Heritage - MEG 1

Environment and Sustainability

Project Publications

FAQ

Concept only - Subject to change

Improve

safety, connectivity & amenity

Reduce

conflicts between cyclists & pedestrians

Boorloo Bridge (Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges Project)

What's Happening

Project Updates

Project Information

Media Statements

Funding

Concept only - Subject to change

Boorloo Bridge Lighting

Boorloo Bridge Art

Acknowledgement of Country

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