New Walyalup Bridge set to open in Fremantle after major construction project
By Chloe · Published 31 Oct 2026 · Updated 31 Oct 2026
Fremantle, WA · Western Australia News
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New Walyalup Bridge set to open in Fremantle after major construction project - Fremantle, WA
Smart summary
Fremantle's new bridge will open to the public on Sunday, 1 November, replacing the ageing crossing and providing wider shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
A major transport project in Western Australia is reaching an important milestone, with the new Walyalup Bridge in Fremantle scheduled to open on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
The new crossing replaces the ageing Fremantle Traffic Bridge, which had served the community for decades. Its closure in February 2026 allowed construction crews to build the replacement structure. The original construction program was expected to take approximately 12 months, but the new bridge is opening around four months ahead of schedule.
The project has attracted considerable attention because of its rising construction costs. The original estimate announced in 2021 was approximately $230 million. The final cost has increased to around $596 million, more than twice the initial figure.
The new bridge is approximately 500 metres long and has two traffic lanes in each direction, maintaining the same number of vehicle lanes as the previous crossing. However, it includes wider pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased clearance underneath to allow boats to pass more easily.
One of its most notable engineering features is its extradosed design, combining cantilever construction with cable-stay supports. It is the first bridge of this type to be constructed in Australia.
The opening also carries a personal connection for 92-year-old Jan Middleton, who survived a dramatic accident on the old bridge in 1956. At the time, she was 22 and giving a colleague a driving lesson when their car lost control on a wet surface and plunged approximately 10 metres from the bridge.
The vehicle landed upside down, but all three women inside survived without serious injuries. Middleton is now preparing to be among the first people to walk across the replacement bridge.
The project has also required significant changes to the surrounding transport network. During the closure, authorities introduced additional bus and train services, provided more parking options for public transport users and monitored traffic conditions through CCTV.
The bridge has a long history. Earlier crossings existed at the same location, including a bridge built by convicts during the nineteenth century. The previous major traffic bridge opened in 1939 and was eventually demolished to make way for the new structure.
The name Walyalup recognises the traditional Whadjuk Noongar name for Fremantle and acknowledges the cultural and historical significance of the area.
A community opening event is scheduled for Sunday morning, from 9am to 1pm. Visitors will be able to walk across the bridge before it opens to vehicle traffic later that night. The event will include family activities and entertainment.
The new crossing is expected to improve connections between Fremantle and North Fremantle while providing safer facilities for people walking and cycling. Its opening marks a new stage in the city's transport infrastructure and the continuing history of crossings over the Swan River.
BridgeFremantleConstructionTrafficApproximately
A major transport project in Western Australia is reaching an important milestone, with the new Walyalup Bridge in Fremantle scheduled to open on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
The new crossing replaces the ageing Fremantle Traffic Bridge, which had served the community for decades. Its closure in February 2026 allowed construction crews to build the replacement structure. The original construction program was expected to take approximately 12 months, but the new bridge is opening around four months ahead of schedule.
The project has attracted considerable attention because of its rising construction costs. The original estimate announced in 2021 was approximately $230 million. The final cost has increased to around $596 million, more than twice the initial figure.
The new bridge is approximately 500 metres long and has two traffic lanes in each direction, maintaining the same number of vehicle lanes as the previous crossing. However, it includes wider pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased clearance underneath to allow boats to pass more easily.
One of its most notable engineering features is its extradosed design, combining cantilever construction with cable-stay supports. It is the first bridge of this type to be constructed in Australia.
The opening also carries a personal connection for 92-year-old Jan Middleton, who survived a dramatic accident on the old bridge in 1956. At the time, she was 22 and giving a colleague a driving lesson when their car lost control on a wet surface and plunged approximately 10 metres from the bridge.
The vehicle landed upside down, but all three women inside survived without serious injuries. Middleton is now preparing to be among the first people to walk across the replacement bridge.
The project has also required significant changes to the surrounding transport network. During the closure, authorities introduced additional bus and train services, provided more parking options for public transport users and monitored traffic conditions through CCTV.
The bridge has a long history. Earlier crossings existed at the same location, including a bridge built by convicts during the nineteenth century. The previous major traffic bridge opened in 1939 and was eventually demolished to make way for the new structure.
The name Walyalup recognises the traditional Whadjuk Noongar name for Fremantle and acknowledges the cultural and historical significance of the area.
A community opening event is scheduled for Sunday morning, from 9am to 1pm. Visitors will be able to walk across the bridge before it opens to vehicle traffic later that night. The event will include family activities and entertainment.
The new crossing is expected to improve connections between Fremantle and North Fremantle while providing safer facilities for people walking and cycling. Its opening marks a new stage in the city's transport infrastructure and the continuing history of crossings over the Swan River.
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