- Walyalup Bridge unveiled as the official name of the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge
- New name marks the next chapter for Fremantle's historic Swan River crossing
- Crossing holds significant cultural and heritage connections to Walyalup and Whadjuk Noongar Boodja
- Community event to celebrate the opening of the new bridge on 1 November
- Albanese and Cook Labor Governments committed to delivering quality infrastructure for Western Australians
The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will officially be namedWalyalup Bridge, recognising a new chapter for one of Western Australia's most important and historic river crossings.
The bridge, jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments, is opening months ahead of schedule on Sunday,1 November with a community celebration.
The community will have the opportunity to walk across the new bridge before it opens to traffic later that evening, with free food and family-friendly entertainment on offer.
It will be Australia's first extradosed bridge, combining cantilevers and cable stay supports and features two lanes in each direction and new wider shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
The site has a long history as a meeting and crossing place, with bridges at the location dating back to 1866.
The new bridge continues that story, replacing the old Fremantle Traffic Bridge built in 1939 and creating a new landmark at the point where the Swan River meets Fremantle Harbour.
Walyalup is the traditional Whadjuk Noongar name for Fremantle, and to the Whadjuk people, Walyalup is a place that has strong social, spiritual, cultural and historic significance.
The name originates from walyo, the Noongar word for the woylie (a small kangaroo rat), which was once abundant in the scrub and low trees around the coastal plain.
The name is synonymous with the Port City and has been adopted in the naming of various local landmarks, such as the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre and Walyalup Civic Centre. The Fremantle Dockers also adopt the name Walyalup during the AFL's Indigenous Round.
Heritage and culture have been embedded within the design of the new crossing, with storytelling incorporated through architecture and urban landscape design, public art, feature lighting, signage and wayfinding.
The surrounding area will also acknowledge the evolution of Fremantle's river crossings, including through the retention of timber piles from the former Fremantle Traffic Bridge and interpretation of remnants associated with earlier crossings.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the free community opening event from 9am to 1pm on Sunday, 1 November with food, family-friendly activities and entertainment across the morning.
Those attending the festivities are being urged to plan ahead, walk, ride or use public transport as there is no parking on site.
Parking is free at Transperth stations on weekends with travel on public transport free for anyone with a SmartRider or using contactless payment methods.
Transperth will provide shuttle buses from Stand 2 at Fremantle Station to the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge every 5 minutes between 8.30am and 12.30pm.
For more information on the opening event and to register your interest, visit the event page.
As stated by Transport and Major Infrastructure Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're proud to announce Walyalup Bridge as the official name for this iconic new landmark that will be a part of Fremantle's identity for generations to come.
"This river crossing has a rich history and so many people have their own stories of its past, whether it be its Noongar heritage and culture, connections to the Fremantle community, or what it represents as a feat of engineering and critical transport link to the Port City.
"Its name, Walyalup Bridge, will now become part of that continuing story, connecting the past, present and future of this important place.
"The rapid construction of this Australian-first bridge has been extraordinary to watch, and I can't wait to celebrate its new chapter alongside thousands of Western Australians."
As stated by Federal Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson:
"This simple but stylish new 'old' Freo bridge delivers a better and safer cross-river connection and by giving it the name Walyalup we also make an important connection between the old and the new, between our precious First Nations heritage and the 21st century infrastructure that our community needs and deserves."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"Walyalup Bridge is a fitting name for where the Swan River meets the Fremantle Harbour and the gateway to Fremantle.
"Heritage and culture are embedded within the design of the new crossing and the retention of the timber piles from the former Fremantle Traffic Bridge will be a reminder of the bridge's history.
"Walyalup Bridge marks the next chapter for Fremantle's historic Swan River crossing and will be part of the identity of Fremantle for generations to come."
As stated by Bicton MLA Lisa O'Malley:
"The opening of Walyalup Bridge will be a historic moment for our community here in the electorate of Bicton and beyond.
"So many people have fond memories and connections to this bridge and the waters beneath it and this iconic new structure is a fantastic celebration of its legacy.
"The Cook Labor Government is proud to be delivering this transformational infrastructure ahead of schedule that will support locals and visitors for decades to come."
