List of bridges in Perth, Western Australia facts for kids
Perth, a vibrant city in Western Australia, is famous for its beautiful Swan River and Canning River. These two main rivers flow across the Swan Coastal Plain. To help people and vehicles move around, many amazing bridges have been built across these rivers and over major roads. This article will tell you about some of the most important bridges in Perth.
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Bridges for Cars and Trucks
These bridges are super important for daily travel, allowing cars, buses, and trucks to cross rivers and busy roads.
The Causeway: A Bridge with an Island
The Causeway is a well-known road bridge that connects East Perth and Victoria Park. It's quite long, stretching about 341 meters. What makes it special is that it's actually two bridges! They meet in the middle at a place called Heirisson Island, which is a lovely spot to visit. This bridge helps thousands of cars cross the Swan River every day.
Narrows Bridge: A Busy Freeway Crossing
The Narrows Bridge is a very busy bridge that carries the Kwinana Freeway over the Swan River. It connects Perth city to South Perth. This bridge is about 397 meters long and is actually made up of three parallel bridges. It's not just for cars; it also carries a railway line, making it a key transport hub.
Mooro-Beeloo Bridge: A New Name for a Key Link
The Mooro-Beeloo Bridge is another important bridge on the Tonkin Highway. It crosses the Swan River between Bayswater and Redcliffe. This bridge is 271 meters long. Until recently, it was known as the Redcliffe Bridge, but its name was changed in December 2023 to reflect its Indigenous heritage.
Other Important Road Bridges
- Canning Bridge: This bridge, 175 meters long, carries Canning Highway over the Canning River between Como and Applecross.
- Fremantle Traffic Bridge: Located in North Fremantle and Fremantle, this 230-meter bridge takes Queen Victoria Street over the Swan River.
- Garratt Road Bridge: This 240-meter bridge helps Garratt Road cross the Swan River between Bayswater and Ascot.
- Mount Henry Bridge: At 660 meters, this is one of the longer bridges, carrying the Kwinana Freeway over the Canning River between Salter Point and Brentwood. It also has a railway line.
- Stirling Bridge: This 400-meter bridge carries Stirling Highway over the Swan River near Fremantle.
- Windan Bridge: This 406-meter bridge carries the Graham Farmer Freeway over the Swan River between East Perth and Burswood. It runs next to the Goongoongup Bridge.
Bridges for Trains
Train bridges are specially built to handle the heavy weight of trains and keep them on track as they cross rivers or other obstacles.
Goongoongup Bridge: A Modern Railway Link
The Goongoongup Bridge is a key railway bridge that crosses the Swan River between East Perth and Burswood. It carries the Armadale and Thornlie railway lines, which are very important for commuters. This bridge was opened in 1995 and is still in use today.
Railway Sections on Road Bridges
Some bridges are so big and important that they carry both roads and railway lines.
- Mount Henry Bridge: As mentioned before, this bridge not only carries the Kwinana Freeway but also the Mandurah railway line over the Canning River.
- Narrows Bridge: This famous bridge also carries the Mandurah railway line alongside the Kwinana Freeway over the Swan River.
Bridges for Walking and Cycling
These bridges are designed for people to walk, run, or cycle safely, often offering great views of the city and rivers.
Matagarup Bridge: A Unique Design
The Matagarup Bridge is a very cool pedestrian bridge in East Perth. It crosses the Swan River and is known for its unique, curving design. It's a popular spot for people to walk or cycle, especially when heading to the nearby Perth Stadium.
Elizabeth Quay Bridge: A City Landmark
The Elizabeth Quay Bridge is a beautiful pedestrian bridge located in the heart of Perth at Elizabeth Quay. It's a great place to stroll and enjoy the waterfront views of the city.
The Kids' Bridge: For Young Explorers
The Kids' Bridge is a special bridge in Nedlands that crosses Winthrop Avenue. It's designed to be a fun and safe pathway for children and families.