The Causeway

The Causeway is the name of two bridges which span the Swan River in Western Australia at the eastern end of Perth Water. They link the City of Perth and Town of Victoria Park. The two bridges are joined at Heirisson Island, which is approximately midway across the river, to make a continuous crossing.

History

Initially, a dam was constructed across the mud flats in 1839, only 10 years after the establishment of the Swan River Colony.

The first pile of the original Causeway bridge was driven across the river flats on November 2 1840. It was originally known as the Perth Bridge. In June 1862, the river flooded badly and the bridge was between seven and eight feet under water.

Built by convict labour, a second Causeway bridge was opened on November 12 1867 by Governor John Hampton. A young onloooker called out after the official opening speeches were completed: "And I, John Stephen Maley, do hereby declare that I will be the first to cross this Perth Bridge and Causeway!". The Governor's party proceeded across the Causeway after the young man had crossed.

In 1905, the first tram crossed the Causeway.

In 1948, a major public works program commenced to rebuild the Causeway yet again. This project gave employment to many recently returned World War II veterans.

In the 1950s the tram system was closed down, so the rails were removed. In 1951 the roundabouts at either end were modeled and shown at an exhibition in Perth Town Hall by the National Safety Council of W.A. [ The West Australian 14.11.1951 "Causeway traffic circus of the future"] - the subsequent development was indicated by the plaque on the eastern end of the Causeway dated September 19 1952 "commemorates the completion of construction" - unveiled by the Hon Ross McLarty, Premier and the Hon David Brand, Minister for Works.

In the 1980s and 1990s there was considerable rebuilding of the approach roads onto the bridges.

References

Further reading

*cite book | first=Leigh | last=Edmonds | title=The vital link: a history of Main Roads Western Australia 1926-1996 | publisher=University of Western Australia Press | location=Nedlands, Western Australia | year=1997 | id=ISBN 1-875560-87-4

External links

* [http://www.southperth.wa.gov.au/history/history1.htm History of South Perth]
* [http://www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.pic-an23148148 Vintage aerial photograph] by Frank Hurley at the National Library of Australia