After building contracts were awarded in early December, construction on the Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication was begun in Western Australia.
It will involve a second, two-lane bridge being constructed on the south side of the existing bridge, which the WA government says will slash congestion across Mandurah and Dawesville.
This is the main traffic access to southern Mandurah, giving motorists a quicker journey south of Perth.
WA premier Roger Cook says that the bridge duplication will service both drivers travelling through the area and the local community significantly.
“This project has been long awaited by the local community and I am very pleased that work is now underway on this key election commitment,” he says.
“Duplicating the bridge will significantly reduce congestion that is currently experienced on approach to the bridge and cut travel times for the thousands of commuters who use the bridge each day.”
The WA government estimates that more than 33,000 vehicles use the bridge every day, with the holiday period just passed highlighting major congestion issues.
Federal transport minister Catherine King says the bridge duplication has been a long time coming.
“I’m proud the Australian and Western Australian governments are able to work together to deliver this welcome transport improvement for Mandurah,” she says.
“This bridge is not just an essential piece of infrastructure, but a vital link between families, businesses and communities which will soon experience better and more reliable transport connection between northern and southern Mandurah.”
The bridge duplication will be built using the incremental launch method, with a total of 15 concrete bridge segments being constructed on-site before being launched into place across the estuary.
A jointly funded $136 million project, it is estimated to be completed by late-2025.