Causeway Bridges

Causeway Bridges consists of two bridges spanning the Swan River to the east and west of Heirisson Island. These bridges, completed in 1952, are the third set of bridges on the site of a traditional crossing over the Swan River. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in Western Australia, the relatively shallow waters and mud banks between what is now East Perth and Victoria Park provided a natural crossing for the Aboriginal people who frequented the area.

After settlement of the Swan River Colony in 1829, the shallow flats near Heirisson Island continued to impeded progress upriver and it was not long before a bridge was urged. Only flat-bottomed boats could make the transition to deeper water upstream and cargo had to be man-handled across the shallow and muddy flats.

Tenders were called for a new bridge in 1840 and the work was spread over three years and several contracts. The design was prepared by John Septimus Roe, Surveyor General, and modified by Henry Trigg, Superintendent of Works, together with Major Frederick C Irwin. Consisting of two timber spans, the Causeway was officially opened on 24 May 1843. A toll was charged for almost all who crossed the Causeway, including pedestrians, each head of stock and vehicle. However, all officers and soldiers were exempted from any charge or toll whatsoever.

Flooding in June 1862 meant the Causeway had to be rebuilt. The new bridge was designed and supervised by Richard Roach Jewell and the work was executed by convict labour. The new Causeway was raised by one metre in height and a third span was added. Jarrah timber and material from the original was reused where possible. The new bridge opened for traffic in August 1865 and was officially opened by Governor Hampton on 12 November 1867.

The gold discoveries of the 1890s and the increase in population led to the development of suburbs which radiated out from Perth. To accommodate the increased pedestrian traffic passing over the Causeway between the city and Victoria Park, it was widened to provide a footpath in 1899. By 1902, it had become necessary to further increase the capacity of the Causeway to ‘afford accommodation for proposed tramway communication with Victoria Park’. This work, completed in 1904, involved strengthening and widening the Causeway.

In June 1940, it was reported that the existing structure was nearing the end of its life and that the provision of a new structure was becoming imperative. The new Causeway was to be a broad roadway of six lanes, with tram tracks in the two central lanes to remove any risk of traffic congestion. The two new bridges were to be reinforced concrete structures, utilising composite steel beams and concrete decking on timber piles.

However, no immediate action was taken and, it being war time, work on the Causeway was restricted to repairs to ensure safety. After WWII, it was decided to eliminate the trams from the design, since this would save the Government a considerable amount of money.

Construction of the new Causeway was carried out by staff and employees of the Main Roads Department, under the supervision of Godfrey. The construction of the new Causeway was regarded by The West Australian as “the consummation of one of the State’s major post-war public works… a monument to Western Australia’s progress”.

Today, the Causeway remains essentially as constructed with little change to the structures. The most significant changes have been the modification of the traffic interchanges, landscaping including cycle paths on the public areas of each end of the Causeway and on Heirisson Island, and modification of the type of street lighting.