Culturally Significant Matagarup Bridge

Matagarup Bridge enhances patron connectivity between East Perth, Burswood Peninsula and Optus Stadium. The bridge helps move event day patrons away from residential streets in East Perth and connects them to Perth CBD and car park facilities. It will also provide year-round access for residents and the community to playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas plus a network of walking and cycling tracks. It is set to become an iconic tourist attraction.

Matagarup Bridge, named in recognition of the cultural significance of the immediate Swan River area to the local Whadjuk community, is a key component of the Optus Stadium integrated transport plan.

Matagarup is the name given by traditional custodians to the area around Heirisson Island and means ‘place where the river is only leg deep, allowing it to be crossed’.

The bridge arch assembly and complex lifting process was a feat of engineering, a process not previously undertaken on an infrastructure project in Western Australia.

Matagarup Bridge was delivered by the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge Alliance (SRPBA) comprising Main Roads, York Civil and Rizzani de Eccher.

The central bridge arch, made from two ‘wishbone’ structures, is approximately 72 metres above the water at its highest point and the steel and concrete deck stretches 370 metres from bank-to-bank with a steel cable-stay span of 160 metres at its centre. Two smaller arches, either side of the central arch, complete the overhead structure.

Only two concrete piers are located in the river, respecting the area’s heritage and minimising impact on the Swan River. The bridge deck is at least nine metres wide, wider at pause points, and includes shelter.

The steel bridge components were supplied and fabricated via a sub-alliance between Main Roads, York Civil, Rizzani de Eccher and Western Australian company Civmec. Sub-contractors Fremantle Steel and Adwest provided bridge deck and balustrade works respectively.

To accommodate future plans for a tourism venture, a walkway and lookout has been provided in the large central river arch. To see videos taken during construction, visit our YouTube site.