Bridge Integrity Group

The West, today, reports that Infrastructure WA has shown that "Westport can wait" - but doing so would require duplication of bridges over the Swan River.
The only report (all of 5 and a bit pages) available on the IWA website doesn't in fact, conclude that. Here's my assessment of the report, such as it is.

Interesting that:
- Only a summary report is available on the Infrastructure WA website (https://www.infrastructure.wa.gov.au/westport-program-westport-mipa-summary-assessment-report)
- The Summary Report is dated October 2024, so has been around for 6 months
- The Summary Report contains no mention of additional bridge(s), nor whether these would be road or rail bridges. From the community perspective, additional bridge(s) east of the traffic bridge or between the traffic bridge and the rail bridge have been shown to be unacceptable and any such bridge (even a rail bridge to the west of the existing rail bridge) would have a useful life limited by the timing of any move to Westport.
The 'preference' for the 'Extend Fremantle' option is not clearly stated but appears to be based solely on economic cost-benefit analysis, but there is no quantified assessment of risk and uncertainty which are often important in long-term projects, nor of the longer-term negative impact of continued container movements on the North Fremantle area. IWA, itself, states that "despite the economic analysis, further project definition, an assessment of project deliverability, and additional clarity regarding interrelated projects in the area including Australian Department of Defence proposals is required to adequately understand the optimal timing and construction schedule for the Westport program."
As a professional practitioner of policy, program and project evaluation for most of my working life, I can only say that this summary report doesn't provide sufficient information for informed judgment nor does it give me confidence in the assessment process itself.

There will be huge challenges when the traffic bridge is closed for final construction of its replacement. P J Yates, a North Ward resident who will be more directly affected by this than most of us, writing in this week's Fremantle Herald, has some sage advice to help us all survive them - advice that could very usefully be heeded in other forums around Fremantle.
He writes: "between Main Roads, the council, and community, we’ve got a chance to decide whether Freo goes full Mad Max on each other, or finds a way to navigate this pain with policy smarts, proactive management, clear communication, and the generosity of spirit that defines us".
Thank you P J Yates.

One-night closure tonight. Buses still get to use the traffic bridge, though.

Here's the latest update on the Traffic Bridge replacement.
Find more about the project and its progress at https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/projects-initiatives/all-projects/metropolitan/swan-river-crossings/

Last Day for the shared path on the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.
It will a tough time for pedestrians and cyclists until the new bridge is finished - but if you doubt it will be worthwhile, just have a look at the third picture and couple that with the bridge shuddering every time a vehicle goes past!
And the last picture is just to prove that I was there on the last day.
NB Figures obscured at their request.

Here's the latest update from Main Roads, mainly on traffic and related matters.
Note that the shared path closure is Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 5.30pm. The path is open at other times, including all day Sunday.