Support for $100m Causeway bridge

A $100 million project to build a bridge across Perth's Causeway is gaining traction despite a delay to the scheduled construction.

The new pedestrian and cyclist bridge to be built across the Swan River is being delivered as part of the $1.7 billion Perth City Deal.

It comprises of a six-metre wide bridge, with dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lanes, connecting Perth CBD with McCallum Park in Victoria Park.

The Town of Victoria Park council supported the proposal at its meeting last night, recommending the project be approved on the condition 40 trees are kept for black cockatoo breeding habitat.

The City of Perth is also expected to provide its own commentary to the Western Australian Planning Commission, before the commission makes a recommendation to a development assessment panel.

In April 2021, Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said construction for the project was expected to start in mid-2022.

The project hit a roadblock when costs doubled but was given a lifeline with the state and federal governments committing $25 million each in March, causing the total project cost to be $100 million.

A construction management plan presented to the town said works were expected to start in November and would last 22 months, but council only considered the project last night.

The Main Roads WA webpage for the project, last updated in October, said early construction and ground improvement works were scheduled to begin early next year, with bridge construction scheduled to start mid-2023.

A construction contract was awarded to a consortium led by Civmec and including Seymour Whyte Constructions and WSP Australia.