Fremantle's New Traffic Bridge in Australia to Open Ahead of Schedule on November 1

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 13, the Australian Federal Government and the Western Australian State Government confirmed that the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will officially open on November 1, months ahead of the original schedule. The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge has been closed since February 1, 2026, with the closure originally expected to last up to 12 months, and the new bridge was previously planned to open in the first half of 2027. The project construction team adjusted the construction organization and adopted an accelerated construction plan, bringing the opening milestone forward to November this year.

The total project budget is AUD 430 million, and the project is being implemented by Main Roads Western Australia. The new bridge spans the Swan River. Once completed, it will feature two motor vehicle lanes in each direction, with safer pedestrian and cycling paths on both sides of the bridge, while also increasing navigable clearance over the water to improve conditions for vessel passage. Construction began in 2024, and the entire project is expected to be completed in 2026, supporting approximately 1,400 jobs.

At present, concrete deck pouring for the new bridge has been completed, the installation of road crash barriers is nearing completion, 185 of the 192 bridge-side components have been put in place, and the scaffolding on all four bridge towers has been fully removed. The demolition of the old bridge has been completed, and most underwater pile foundations have also been removed from the river channel. The construction focus is now shifting to the bridge deck roadway, railings, lighting, and the landscaping and terraced spaces near Beach Street on the south side.

On November 1, a community open event will be held first, allowing the public to walk across the new bridge, after which it will officially open to motor vehicles that evening. After the new bridge opens to traffic, the temporary road adjustments implemented during construction to ease traffic pressure, including those on Canning Highway, will be gradually removed, and traffic arrangements connecting Fremantle to the surrounding road network will be restored.

After the bridge opens, surrounding finishing works will continue, including landscaping, localized facilities, and the feature lighting system. The Western Australian State Government has also arranged architectural and feature lighting works for the project to showcase content related to local history, culture, and the river crossing, with related lighting tests planned to begin in mid-September.