Winthrop Avenue will soon become a beacon of colour as work kicks off on construction of the rainbow Perth Kids Bridge, which will link the QEII Medical Centre Campus to Kings Park.
When complete, the three-metre wide, 217-metre long bridge will provide sick kids and their families with a safe crossing point over Winthrop Avenue, connecting with the beauty and nature of Kings Park.
Local company Civmec will undertake construction of the bridge, using almost 300 tonnes of locally fabricated steel and employing 40 people – including apprentices and trainees.
The Kids’ Bridge will provide inpatients, outpatients and families with easier access to Kings Park while receiving treatment at Perth Children’s Hospital, and provide an opportunity for a range of therapies, including allied health, to be delivered in an environment that harnesses the benefits of nature.
The benefits also extend to staff across the QEII campus, who can easily access the park for fitness, lifestyle and wellbeing activities as well as using the existing cycle and pedestrian paths for commuting.
The Kids’ Bridge colour palette will be complemented by a programmable feature lighting installation that will co-ordinate with other State Government structures like Matagarup Bridge.
The project was made possible by a generous $6.3 million funding commitment from the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and construction is due to be completed in mid-2021.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“The new rainbow Perth Kids Bridge will become an iconic structure along Winthrop Avenue.
“This locally made bridge will provide a much needed link for Perth Children’s Hospital patients and their families to the beauty of Kings Park.
“I thank the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and all the key stakeholders who have come together to make this project a reality.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“This bridge will deliver vital benefits for the families who need to use these facilities, with clinicians noting outdoor visits have a positive effect for the overall wellbeing of these families.
“Staff and the wider community will also benefit with easier access to existing local path networks in the area, and the ability to use the park for fitness, lifestyle and work break activities.”
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“I am thrilled to see construction of this iconic new bridge underway, being delivered by local Western Australian company Civmec.
“Civmec was a key contractor who helped deliver the Matagarup Bridge – the skill and expertise in delivering that project will be employed in delivering this bridge.
“Almost 300 tonnes of steel will form the bridge support, all of which will be fabricated locally in WA.
“Construction of the bridge is expected to employ more than 40 people, including apprentices, trainees and the sub-contractor workforce – helping to boost our economy post COVID-19.”
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Accessing Kings Park and Botanic Garden will be much safer and easier when the Kids’ Bridge is complete.
“It’s a very special place for many Western Australians, and I’m excited that this infrastructure will be widely used as kids and their families cross the rainbow bridge seeking respite in the great outdoors.”
As stated by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Chairman Hon. Ian Campbell:
“After 19 years of dreaming and nine years of planning and fundraising – in six months from now, kids and families spending time at the hospital will be able to walk across this bridge connecting one of the world’s greatest children’s hospitals with one of the world’s greatest urban bushland parks.
“This is a historic link for generations to come – a bridge to our ancient past, a bridge to nature, and a bridge to a healthy future.”
