Fremantle’s iconic new Walyalup Bridge has officially opened ahead of schedule, restoring a vital connection to the port city ahead of summer.
Thousands of community members will celebrate the milestone by walking across the bridge for the first time this morning before it opens to traffic later this evening.
Jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments, the new bridge will transform the way people travel across the Swan River, with two traffic lanes in each direction and shared paths up to four metres wide on both sides.
Wider and higher navigational spans under the bridge will make it safer and more accessible for ferries, boats and other water users to move around.
Named in recognition of the traditional Whadjuk Noongar name for Fremantle, Walyalup Bridge is Australia’s first and only extradosed bridge, a design that incorporates both cantilevers and cable stay supports.
It is the fifth bridge to be built in this location, replacing the previous ageing timber bridge that had served the community for almost 86 years.
The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge was closed on 1 February 2026, with the closure originally expected to take up to 12 months while the new bridge was built on the same alignment.
Despite the challenging construction environment, an innovative construction approach has fast-tracked its completion, with the bridge opening to traffic ahead of schedule.
Opening before the busy summer and Christmas trading period will improve access to and from Fremantle and support local businesses, tourism and the community.
The project has generated significant economic benefits for Western Australia, supporting over 380 local businesses, creating around 1,400 jobs and investing more than $13 million into 34 Aboriginal-owned businesses.
The bridge’s design celebrates the community, its engineering excellence and the site’s historical and cultural significance through public art, landscaping and interpretive signage.
Heritage elements from the 1939 bridge have been restored and utilised, including the brass lantern orbs and wooden piles.
Conservation works on the ferry capstan base have made this an important part of the urban and landscaping design.
The bridge’s innovative and unique feature lighting program will celebrate stories of the river crossing that date back thousands of years, recognising the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of the area.
Finishing works will continue on the bridge and surrounding areas after the opening, including final testing of the lighting.
In the coming weeks, road-network changes made during the closure will be reinstated, including access to and from Fremantle via Canning Highway and the re-opening of Beach Street under the new bridge.
To align with the bridge opening, Transperth’s CircleRoute, which includes the existing 998 and 999 bus routes will be split into four separate bus routes from today.
This includes new route 996 between Fremantle Station, Claremont Station and Stirling Station, which travels through the new Walyalup Bridge.
The four new bus routes will improve network performance, delivering a more reliable and efficient service for passengers.
As stated by WA Acting Premier and Minister for Transport and Major Infrastructure Rita Saffioti:
“Walyalup Bridge is a once-in-a-generation piece of infrastructure that will service the people of Fremantle and all Western Australians for decades to come.
“From motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to the ferries and boats below, this new bridge will make the journey safer and smoother for everyone.
“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.
“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.”
As stated by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“The Australian Government is proud to have partnered with the Western Australian Government to deliver this iconic project, improving safety for road and river users and providing greater connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
“With modern and reliable infrastructure, commuters will now spend less time stuck in traffic, with improved connections between communities on either side of Swan River.
“Opening ahead of schedule and just in time for the summer holiday season, the new bridge will deliver a stronger, more reliable gateway into this beautiful city.”
Quotes As put by Federal Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson:
“This is the most significant investment in new infrastructure in Fremantle in my lifetime, transforming a critical cross-river link for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and river users.
“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.
“Our community helped shape this project and showed extraordinary patience through its construction, and it is especially fitting that we can open it early by walking across it together.”
Quotes As put by WA Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
“Today is a historic day for our community, with the opening of Walyalup Bridge restoring a critical connection to and from Fremantle just in time for summer.
“I’d like to thank the Fremantle residents and the local business community for their patience during the bridge’s closure and who have all played their part in minimising disruptions.
“The Cook Labor Government is proud to be delivering this transformational infrastructure that will be part of Fremantle’s identity for decades to come.”
Quotes As put by WA Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley:
“We know delivering landmark projects like this causes disruption and I can’t thank our community enough for the patience they’ve shown.
“Residents and businesses in the Bicton electorate and beyond have played an important part in keeping traffic on our roads moving as smoothly possible.
“Now it’s time to celebrate this iconic new gateway to Fremantle that will be a part of our community’s story for generations to come.”
