Windan Bridge Explained

Windan Bridge
Coordinates:-31.9474°N 115.8828°W
Carries:Road vehicles
Crosses:Swan River
Locale:East Perth, Western Australia
Length:403m (1,322feet)
Number Spans:9
Lanes:6
Builder:Transfield Thiess joint venture
Begin:1998

The Windan Bridge is a six-lane road bridge in East Perth, Western Australia which crosses the Swan River and forms part of the Graham Farmer Freeway. Opened in 2000, it sits next to the Goongoongup railway bridge which was built in 1995.

A joint venture between Transfield and Thiess Contractors was selected to construct the bridge from a short-list of three parties.[1] Construction began in 1998. The incrementally-launched bridge is 403m (1,322feet) long with nine spans and comprises two prestressed concrete box girders on two rows of piers.[2] A dual-use pedestrian/cycle pathway is located beneath the main deck.

The bridge is named after Windan, a wife of Yellagonga (sometimes spelt Yallgunga), chief of the Mooro tribe. Her body was buried around the area, according to her wish. The name was chosen in consultation with Noongar elders as part of the Graham Farmer Freeway project. A naming ceremony was held on 9 April 2000 where a plaque was unveiled and a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony performed.[3]

The opening of the Graham Farmer Freeway and Windan Bridge was celebrated with a community open day on 22 April 2000 where the public could walk or cycle through the Graham Farmer tunnel and across the bridge. The freeway and bridge was open to traffic the following day.[4]

The bridge is part of a popular exercise trail known as the Windan Bridge Loop, which goes along the banks of the Swan River and across the Windan Bridge and The Causeway.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. Transfield Thiess joint venture of the City Northern Bypass . . 13 November 1996 . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050025/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/1996/11/Transfield-Thiess-joint-venture-of-the-City-Northern-Bypass.aspx . 27 January 2018 . live .
  2. Web site: Windan Bridge . BG&E . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050256/http://www.bgeeng.com/sb-road-bridge/34-market-sectors/ms-transport/mst-road-bridges/218-windan-bridge-wa . 27 January 2018 . live .
  3. Minister names new bridge over Swan River . . 9 April 2000 . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050556/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/2000/04/Minister-names-new-bridge-over-Swan-River.aspx . 27 January 2018 . live .
  4. Graham Farmer Freeway to open on April 23 . . 12 February 2000 . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127052653/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/2000/02/Graham-Farmer-Freeway-to-open-on-April-23.aspx . 27 January 2018 . live .
  5. Web site: Windan Bridge Loop . Trails WA . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127053355/https://trailswa.com.au/trails/windan-bridge-loop . 27 January 2018 . live .
  6. News: Top family bike rides in Perth . . 11 January 2016 . 27 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127053518/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/top-family-bike-rides-in-perth-ng-ya-138589 . 27 January 2018 . live .