Final concept released for $280m Swan River Crossings project

swan river crossings project concept map — Image: Main Roads WA.

The final concept plan for Western Australia’s $280 million Swan River Crossings project has been released.

The project will include the replacement of the existing Fremantle Traffic Bridge, as well as the construction of a new rail bridge.

The concept plan features a direct connection into Fremantle via Queen Victoria Street, and the realignment of Canning Highway to travel under the new traffic bridge to enable new connections for road, rail, boat, and path users.

Community feedback has been incorporated, with the area in front of the heritage-listed Naval Store becoming available to progress opportunities for a new public open space.

Premier Mark McGowan said the transformation of Fremantle into a modern and vibrant port city was underway.

“The Swan River Crossing project will create the new gateway to Fremantle, providing a direct link into the revitalised and bustling Victoria Quay,” he said.

“It will build on the area’s unique heritage to develop a new public space at the Naval Store, linking up with Fremantle’s other waterfront precincts as they undergo a major redevelopment over coming years.”

The project will include removing the signalised intersection at Canning Highway and Queen Victoria Street; realigning Canning Highway form East Street to travel under the new bridge, and connect it to Beach Street; and prioritising journeys into Fremantle via Queen Victoria Street, providing a direct, free-flowing journey from North Fremantle.

The plan also enables opportunities for urban landscaping, heritage interpretation and community connection for an area in front of the existing Naval Store, including the use of existing timber pylons in the current traffic bridge.

Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from paths on both sides of the new traffic bridge – including a four-metre-wide standard pedestrian and cyclist path on the western side and a three-metre-wide shared path on the east.

Rita Saffioti, Western Australia Transport, Planning and Ports Minister, said community input on the project had influenced its design.

“It is very exciting to see a design that responds to the community’s aspirations for more open spaces and considered urban design,” she said.

“This concept design will allow for traffic to flow more freely into Fremantle and create better connections to precincts, such as Victoria Quay and the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, where significant redevelopment planning is underway.”

Architects and local urban designers continue to guide the project with development of an Architectural Urban and Landscaping Design framework. This early concept has been presented to the Heritage Council, the State Design Review Panel and key stakeholders.

Ongoing discussions will continue through the development approvals process in the coming months.

The project is being delivered by the Fremantle Bridges Alliance (FBA), comprising Main Roads Western Australia, Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction, Arup Australia, and WSP Australia. It is jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian governments on a 50:50 basis.

For more information, visit: www.mainroads.wa.gov.au