Fitzroy River Bridge Opened in Record Time

The Fitzroy River Bridge has opened in record time after the old bridge suffered irreparable damage.

The new two-lane bridge is six times stronger and 100 metres longer than the previous structure. Importantly, the new bridge:

Reconnects families and communities on both sides of the river.

Improves the region’s resilience to future heavy rainfall and flood events.

Enhances safety for pedestrians and road users.

Reinforces the importance of maintaining uninterrupted road freight and transport links across Australia.

The bridge was officially opened to traffic on 10 December 2023, less than one year after the devastating floods earlier that year.

Its opening marks a significant milestone in flood recovery and provides welcome relief to Fitzroy Crossing residents and the wider Kimberley region ahead of the next wet season.

To celebrate this remarkable achievement, local residents, Traditional Owners, project workers and government representatives, including Premier Roger Cook, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, local MLA Davina D’Anna, Federal MP Madeleine King, and Senator Glenn Sterle, gathered to walk across the bridge before it was officially opened to traffic.

Minor finishing works on the bridge and embankments continued until the end of December and resumed in February.

Supporting Stronger Communities

The local community’s extraordinary commitment and support made the rapid construction of the bridge possible. The project fostered strong partnerships with local language groups, businesses, community organisations, schools and government agencies.

Local Employment and Skills Development

The project employed more than 250 local workers in a wide range of roles across construction, administration, and support services.

Workers gained valuable new skills and participated in nationally recognised training programs, helping prepare them for future employment opportunities.

Investing in Local Businesses

To date, 42 Kimberley businesses, including 22 from the Fitzroy Valley, have contributed to the project.

Main Roads WA and the project team actively supported emerging local enterprises. Several individuals who began working on the bridge project went on to establish their own businesses and received assistance with equipment hire and tendering opportunities.

School Engagement Program

More than 100 students visited the bridge during the year to observe construction progress and learn about careers in the construction industry. Some schools made several visits, travelling up to 100 kilometres to see the project firsthand.

The school engagement program also included a careers expo and a community mural project to introduce students to the many career pathways available in the construction sector.

Promoting Culture and Community

The school engagement program also included a careers expo and a community mural project, designed to introduce students to the many career pathways available within the construction sector.

The project also supported initiatives and events that celebrated the Fitzroy Valley’s rich culture, including the Mindi Rardi Traditional Dance Festival, the Yajilarra Festival, and the Stronger Together community event.

Otto Schaechtele Tour Consultant Freelance Travel Journalist Photojournalist