Construction to replace old Bayswater Bridge in WA begins

As part of the broader METRONET new Bayswater Station development, works have commenced to replace the notorious Bayswater Bridge. 

To commemorate the removal and replacement of the infamous bridge, the Western Australian Government is reaching out to the community for suggestions on how the old structure should be “farewelled”. 

The old bridge has a well-known appetite for trucks due to its 3.8-metre clearance. To remedy this, the new bridge will have a clearance height of 4.8 metres. 

The first beams for the taller, bigger bridge have already been installed, with 50 more beams to be installed over the coming months, to support the new lines and longer platforms. 

The old bridge will be gone by the end of this year. 

“Truckies will breathe a sigh of relief today with the news that we will wave goodbye to the old Bayswater Bridge before the end of the year. 

“They Bayswater Bridge is an infamous icon of Perth and we want to give it the farewell it deserves – so I encourage community members to have their say on what sort of goodbye they think we should host,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

While works on the new bridge ramp up, pipes have already been installed under the rail with excavation happening on either side of the track to enable the installation of foundations for the new overhead line equipment. 

The new Bayswater Station development is set to become a major METRONET precinct with connections to Midland Line, Forrestfield-Airport Link and Morley-Ellenbrook Line. This project is the first component of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line. 

The new Bayswater Station will include: 

• Building a new four-platform station, complete with passenger amenities and that is long enough to accommodate six-car trains on a rail bridge over King William-Coode streets 
• Two station entrances to reduce road crossing and to provide alternative emergency exits 
• An elevated Principal Shared Path will be built along the Whatley Crescent side of the rail bridge 
• Two single escalators providing passenger access to each island platform, accompanying sets of stairs and lifts 

The station precinct development will also deliver new public spaces as well as amenities for pedestrians, providing easier and safer access to the new station. 

Once completed, the new Bayswater Station precinct will not only provide a direct link to Perth Airport, the Swan Valley tourist region and the CBD, but it will also provide improved cyclist and pedestrian connections to Bayswater’s heritage town centre. 

“The Bayswater Bridge is a part of our history and while it will be sad to see it go, the new 4.8 metre structure will make it easier for traffic and pedestrians. 

“The new Bayswater Station will become a hub of activity with links to many of Perth’s key destinations,” Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said. 

The entire new Bayswater Station project is anticipated to support up to 350 jobs during its construction. 

The Evolve Bayswater Alliance (Coleman Rail) has been appointed to design and construct the new Bayswater Station. 

Source: METRONET (1, 2); Government of Western Australia - Media Statements; ABC News