Thousands of pedestrians crossed the new Walyalup Bridge in Fremantle on Sunday morning, a day after Transport Minister Rita Saffioti led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the structure that replaces the 86-year-old Fremantle Traffic Bridge. The bridge, which had a cost increase from $430 million to $596 million in this year's state budget, opened earlier than its originally tipped first-half-2027 opening thanks to fast-tracked construction.
The state government said construction had provided more than 1400 jobs. The new bridge has the same number of traffic lanes as its predecessor, but offers higher clearance for boats and wider pedestrian lanes, updating the old timber framing with cantilevers and cable stay supports.
Speaking at the opening on Sunday, Saffioti said the project had been worth the effort. "Opening it ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement for everyone involved, and I congratulate the entire project team for their innovation and commitment to delivering it as quickly as possible," she said. "Thank you to the local families, residents, businesses, schools and freight operators who have all played their part to keep the road network moving while we built this spectacular new bridge."
During construction, some Fremantle businesses reported hardship from road closures. Cellarbrations on Canning Highway closed after 17 years in business, citing lost customers, and other businesses reported significant declines in profit and foot traffic.
Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk thanked constituents for their patience. Member for Bicton Lisa O'Malley acknowledged it had been difficult for some businesses to get through the closure period: "We know delivering landmark projects like this causes disruption and I can't thank our community enough for the patience they've shown."
Road access to and from Fremantle via Canning Highway will be re-opened now the bridge is up and running, and Beach Street will also be back open to traffic. Some remaining works including a lighting test are still to be completed, but the bridge is now open to traffic.
Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson said it was important the bridge had elements of the port city's long history in its design. "Walyalup Bridge is a brilliant addition to our working port, with a name and design that shape Fremantle's future by respecting its deep cultural and industrial heritage," he said.
Some of the timber preserved from the old bridge has been used to build a walkway under the new structure, and the brass lantern orbs that previously lit the way for drivers remain in place and will still be lit each night.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The early opening provides direct relief for Fremantle residents and commuters by restoring road access via Canning Highway and Beach Street, which were closed during construction.
- The $166 million cost increase and the 1400-plus jobs created highlight the trade-offs between accelerating major infrastructure and delivering value for taxpayers.
- Businesses that struggled during the disruption will now look to recover foot traffic and sales with the return of normal traffic flows.
Background
The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge, built in 1939, was closed in February. The new bridge had been originally scheduled to open in the first half of 2027 but was delivered early after a fast-tracked construction program. The bridge is named Walyalup, a name that respects the area's Indigenous heritage.
Key Perspectives
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti: said opening ahead of schedule was an incredible achievement and congratulated the project team for their innovation and commitment.
Member for Bicton Lisa O'Malley: acknowledged the disruption was difficult for businesses and thanked the community for its patience.
Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson: said the bridge's name and design shape Fremantle's future by respecting its deep cultural and industrial heritage.
What to Watch
- Completion of remaining works, including the lighting test.
- Whether local businesses that reported losses during construction recover.
- State government accounting for the cost blowout in future budgets or reviews.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedThousands walked across the new Walyalup Bridge after it opened early.The Age - Latest News: “Thousands of pedestrians gathered just after 9am to cross the bridge on Sunday morning, and it will be later opened to traffic. The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge was closed in February, with the new structure originally tipped to open in the first half of 2027. However, fast-tracked construction has enabled it to open early.”
- Partly supportedThe $596 million bridge opened on Sunday, ahead of schedule.The Age - Latest News: “State government ministers, locals, business owners and media gathered on Saturday morning for the official unveiling of the new bridge. ... Thousands of pedestrians gathered just after 9am to cross the bridge on Sunday morning, and it will be later opened to traffic.”
- SupportedThe bridge was originally tipped to open in the first half of 2027.The Age - Latest News: “The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge was closed in February, with the new structure originally tipped to open in the first half of 2027.”
- SupportedSaffioti led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, the day before the Sunday pedestrian crossing.The Age - Latest News: “State government ministers, locals, business owners and media gathered on Saturday morning for the official unveiling of the new bridge, with Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti leading the ribbon cutting ceremony. Thousands of pedestrians gathered just after 9am to cross the bridge on Sunday morning”
- SupportedThe bridge’s cost rose from $430 million to $596 million in this year’s state budget.The Age - Latest News: “the original cost of the new bridge jumping from $430 million to $596 million in this year’s state budget.”
- SupportedFast-tracked construction enabled the bridge to open early.The Age - Latest News: “However, fast-tracked construction has enabled it to open early.”
- SupportedThe state government said construction had provided more than 1,400 jobs.The Age - Latest News: “The state government said construction had since provided more than 1400 jobs.”
- SupportedSaffioti said: “Opening it ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement for everyone involved, and I congratulate the entire project team for their innovation and commitment to delivering it as quickly as possible.”The Age - Latest News: ““Opening it ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement for everyone involved, and I congratulate the entire project team for their innovation and commitment to delivering it as quickly as possible,” she said.”
- SupportedSaffioti said: “Thank you to the local families, residents, businesses, schools and freight operators who have all played their part to keep the road network moving while we built this spectacular new bridge.”The Age - Latest News: ““Thank you to the local families, residents, businesses, schools and freight operators who have all played their part to keep the road network moving while we built this spectacular new bridge.””
- SupportedCellarbrations on Canning Highway closed after 17 years in business because it lost customers during construction.The Age - Latest News: “Cellarbrations on Canning Highway closed after 17 years in business due to losing customers during the building”
- SupportedO’Malley said: “We know delivering landmark projects like this causes disruption and I can’t thank our community enough for the patience they’ve shown.”The Age - Latest News: ““We know delivering landmark projects like this causes disruption and I can’t thank our community enough for the patience they’ve shown,” O’Malley said.”
- SupportedWilson said: “Walyalup Bridge is a brilliant addition to our working port, with a name and design that shape Fremantle’s future by respecting its deep cultural and industrial heritage.”The Age - Latest News: ““Walyalup Bridge is a brilliant addition to our working port, with a name and design that shape Fremantle’s future by respecting its deep cultural and industrial heritage,” he said.”