Narrows Bridge

The Narrows Bridge is a road and railway bridge spanning the Swan River in Perth, linking the northern suburbs with those to the south. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and carries multiple traffic lanes alongside a dedicated railway line.

Construction started in 1957 when the Danish firm Christiani and Nielsen took on the project, developing new methods to handle the river's soft mud conditions. The work finished in 1959 and represented a significant achievement in bridge engineering of that era.

The structure shapes daily life for commuters crossing between neighborhoods and serves as a familiar landmark in Perth's transport patterns. Locals use it as a reference point when describing locations across the river.

The bridge is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles, with pathways on both sides for those traveling on foot. During peak hours traffic can be heavy, so crossing at quieter times often moves more smoothly.

When completed, this was the world's largest precast prestressed concrete bridge, making it a technical milestone in construction history. This achievement reflected the innovative problem-solving needed to handle the Swan River's challenging ground conditions.

Location: City of Perth

Location: City of South Perth

Inception: November 13, 1959

Official opening: November 13, 1959

Length: 396.5 m

Made from material: reinforced concrete

GPS coordinates: -31.96333,115.84694

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57