MAY 2021

Swan River Crossings

Frequently Asked Questions

Project overall bridge do not align, which to determine the future of any increases the difficulty of remnant structure. What is the project all about? skippering vessels between the How is the project being The Swan River Crossings Project structures. will replace the Traffic delivered? Bridge (Queen Victoria Street) and Why can’t you maintain the The Fremantle Bridges Alliance increase passenger and freight rail current traffic bridge? (FBA) has been formed to continue capacity, efficiency and Approximately $23.5 million has project development activities productivity. It is being designed been spent over the last five years complete the design and build the to improve safety for and to repair the bridge, including new traffic and rail bridge river users, improve traffic flows costly repairs in 2016. The repair infrastructure. The Alliance is made and improve pedestrian and cyclist works focused on minimising the up of Main , Laing O’Rourke connections over the Swan River risks of vessels hitting the bridge. Australia Construction, Arup and to North Fremantle Station. The bridge continues to be Australia and WSP Australia. This maintained however, the bridge's type of contract is common for Why is Main Roads replacing the piers, deck and other structures large public infrastructure projects ? continue to deteriorate and the and ensures that the best team of The bridge was built in 1939 and bridge needs to be replaced. WA Government and industry was expected to last for 40 years. Ongoing maintenance will not specialists is in place. The structure has been extend the life of the deteriorating Why do we need a new rail deteriorating over several years timber. Restoring the timber like- bridge? and, despite extensive for-like will not meet current strengthening and maintenance bridge design standards and Currently, freight and passenger work, it needs to be replaced. The durability requirements. services share one rail bridge. The bridge does not meet current Swan River Crossings project will design standards for road lanes Will the existing bridge be build a new rail bridge exclusively and footpath widths. The demolished? for passenger trains, significantly navigational clearances under the The project team is investigating improving the current situation for bridge are the lowest and the opportunity to retain a portion both passengers and freight-users. narrowest of all Swan River bridges of the existing bridge over the Having different train systems up to the in East . water. As the project progresses share a section of track not only The biggest risk to the bridge in its the team will continue to liaise with requires complex management but current state is vessel impact and the Heritage Council, key is impacting the volume of freight the piers between the road and rail stakeholders and the community that can be shifted by rail. Rail

freight currently takes more than recommendation on the proposed passenger and freight trail lines to 105,000 trucks off our roads each alignment solution. crossover each other on both sides year, but this is nearing capacity. of the river. In addition to Unless we improve the current Alignment options increasing the cost and complexity situation to maximise the use of What has been considered in the of the build, a western alignment rail, more freight will have to be alignment options assessment? would impact the efficiency and shifted by trucks on our roads, Four alignments have been safety of the area and require particularly in the port precinct, considered and the Alliance has lengthy operational closures of depending on when containers been assessing the technical both rail services. move from Fremantle’s Inner requirements for each. This Building into the Inner Harbour Harbour. Independent research assessment of alignment options would restrict activities at the shows Fremantle residents strongly has been considering the following eastern berths, which are the only prefer containers on rail than on key areas: berths engineered to handle WA’s roads.  design–road and rail design heavy break-bulk cargoes A new passenger rail bridge will compliance including vehicles, mining and separate freight and rail passenger agricultural equipment, and large lines, improve services for  constructability–programming, project materials such as items for community and industry, allow for staging and space the METRONET infrastructure work. rail maintenance to occur, and considerations Main Roads previously said there minimise the growth of container  design quality–placemaking, was not enough room to build movements on our roads. urban design and architectural between the existing bridges, I’ve seen a barge in the river elements what has changed? near the old bridge, has  environmental and heritage– There is limited space available construction already begun? statutory requirements between the existing road and rail Before construction commences bridges, with ‘pinch points’ on the  road(including pedestrians and geotechnical investigations in the northern abutment. Focussed cyclists), river and rail Swan River are required to help efforts over the past two months operations–impacts on inform and guide the design of the have challenged previously bridges and the bridge alignments. stakeholders during accepted technical requirements Main Roads will be undertaking construction and at and assumptions to determine these investigations until the end completion of works what can be built in the available of June 2021, on both the east and  value for money. space. west sides of the existing If Westport is shifting the With construction staging, design Fremantle Traffic Bridge. container port to Kwinana, why innovations and recently available What stage is the project at now can’t we build the new crossings technical data (such as geophysical (May2021)? in Fremantle Port? results) the Alliance technical Following community feedback Work is now underway to specialists have identified an received last year on the proposed determine the timetable for optimised cross-section that can fit alignment, we are now transitioning the container trade between the existing infrastructure. reconsidering options for the from the Inner Harbour to This solution does increase the alignment of the new bridge. Kwinana. The Fremantle Traffic duration of the construction Additional technical review has Bridge needs to be replaced program. been completed and we are now sooner than this. The road and rail Where is the Principal Shared seeking community feedback on tie-ins needed for a bridge west of Path (PSP) going? the alignment options we have the existing rail bridge (and into The connectivity of pedestrian and looked at, before making a Fremantle Port) would require cycling infrastructure is an

important objective for the project reserve to install parking facilities. options and help guide the final but the design can not be finalised Providing access from Canning recommendation. until an alignment for the bridge Highway presents a significant How can I have input into structures is determined. The safety risk given the number of design, heritage, placemaking Alliance will be seeking community vehicles, which use this section of and/or connectivity? and stakeholder input into the PSP road. design over the coming months. After the Options Assessment Could the new road bridge and phase, we will be undertaking What is the anticipated distance the rail bridge be built as one design development work between the new traffic bridge structure? throughout 2021. We will be and the closest North Fremantle Yes –it is technically possible to actively seeking stakeholder and properties, and will this vary combine the road and rail community involvement into depending on the alignment infrastructure into one integrated heritage interpretation, bridge option chosen? structure. However, an integrated aesthetics, public amenity The current road (Queen Victoria road and rail structure generates outcomes and the connectivity of Street) is 26 metres away from the new technical issues including pedestrian and cycling paths. If edge of the south building at the impacts on Fremantle Port’s access these, or any other aspects, are of apartments on the north side of at Gate 3 and complex design and interest to you, please register your the Swan River. functionality issues at the interest on the feedback form in intersection of our interactive platform to be The previous alignment released and Beach Street. The additional involved in these future by Main Roads in 2020 (current cost associated with resolving consultations. Option 3) would place the new these issues, and likely long rail road approximately 11 metres closures, has eliminated this from Construction impacts away from the edge of this our Options Assessment. When will the construction building. begin? Community engagement Options 1 and 2 would place the Early works are expected to new road approximately 25 metres How can I have my say on the commence in late 2021, with away and Option 4would place the alignment options? construction ramping up in 2022. new road 22 metres away. The new The project team is out and about Will I hear noise and feel road and rail bridge structures will in Fremantle seeking community vibrations during construction? be constructed with modern and stakeholder input into the techniques and can be expected to Options Assessment. You can Some work, such as piling, is likely produce less noise at the come and meet the team at one of to be noisy and could result in completion of construction works. our public events or participate in vibrations. We will provide Review the options in our online one of our online webinars. Find advanced notification of this type tool here to find out more. out more by visiting our project of work so residents and webpage here. You can also visit businesses can be aware of the Can the preferred alignment our interactive platform, where you work program. An environmental allow for better access on Queen can find out information about the management plan will be in place Victoria Street/Canning Hwy to alignments and submit your during construction, which will the Naval Stores? feedback online. include requirements to monitor Main Roads has committed to and manage noise and vibration reviewing opportunities for How will my feedback be impacts. improving access to the Naval considered as part of the Stores. However, access to the alignment options process? Will construction impact on my travel times? Naval Stores and Tuckfield Park is Your feedback will be incorporated currently from the north because into the final consideration of All alignment options include some there is limited space in the road impacts to the traffic network and,

at a minimum, will include single across the river and connecting to lane closures on the Fremantle the local path network. Traffic Bridge. The Alliance is Will there be changes to roads in working with Main Roads to North Fremantle as a result of minimise the full extent of traffic this project? impacts such as intersection modifications. Nonetheless, The Swan River Crossings Project is motorists should expect there will not making any changes to Queen be delays during construction. Victoria Street in the North Option 4 would require more Fremantle Town Centre, to Stirling significant traffic impacts such as Highway, the or the full closure of the bridge for an Tydeman Road. The new traffic extended period. Review the bridge is replacing like for like – options in our online tool here to two lanes in each direction across find out more. the river with no changes to the number of lanes on Queen Victoria Some rail closures will be required Street. during construction. The project team will work with PTA to minimise impacts to passengers and to provide advanced notification ahead of any closures.

Pedestrians and cyclists will also be impacted by changes to the path network during construction.

All traffic management will be subject to approvals and we will be providing residents and businesses with advanced notice of anticipated delays. Project outcomes How will the pedestrian and cycle network be improved?

Improving pedestrian and cycling connectivity is a key objective of the project. A new Principal Shared Path (PSP) will be constructed for people walking and riding from North Fremantle Station to the new traffic bridge, and across the river to connect to Beach Street and Canning Highway. A new bridge over Tydeman Road for cyclists and walkers will improve the journey from North Fremantle,