Walyalup Bridge opens four months early despite $596m cost blowout
The Walyalup Bridge opened in Fremantle four months early, costing $596 million, more than double the original estimate.
The new Walyalup Bridge in Fremantle opened today to thousands of pedestrians. Traffic began flowing in the evening.
The 500-metre bridge is the first extra-dosed structure of its kind built in Australia and combines cantilever and cable-stay supports. Construction finished about four months early, ahead of the expected 12-month timeframe.
The bridge replaces an 86-year-old structure. It has wider pedestrian paths and higher clearance for river traffic.
The cost reached $596 million. This was more than double the original estimate.
The main reason was redesigning the bridge to reduce traffic disruption. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the community faced far less congestion than feared during construction.
- 596 million dollars
- Bridge cost
- 500 metres
- Bridge length
- Four months early from 12-month schedule
- Construction time saved
- First extra-dosed in Australia
- Bridge type
Why it mattersThe early completion shows how redesign choices can accelerate major projects, though the cost overrun highlights the trade-offs between speed and budget in infrastructure.
AustraliaWestern Australia's major transport link is now open, ending months of traffic disruption and reconnecting Fremantle across the Swan River.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
