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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek.

More than 300 test Matagarup Bridge on Saturday

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

MORE than 300 people braved the Saturday morning chill to become among the first to walk on the Matagarup Bridge as part of a dynamics test.

Testing consists of up to 300 people in four sessions over two days walking back and forth over a section of the construction to test the movement and sway of the bridge.

Testing continues today.

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On Thursday , a group of State Emergency Service staff will run and jump on the bridge before it opens to the public ahead of the July 15 Round 17 clash between the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek.

Many came to the Saturday session in their activewear, using the opportunity to get in some exercise while being part of Perth history.

One walker dubbed the bridge “The Eiffel Tower of Perth”, referring to the design.

Tony and Eilish Burns, from Cloverdale, said facing the cold was worth their first walk on the bridge.

“It’s really exciting to be on here,” Mr Burns said.

More than 300 volunteers took part in the Matagarup Bridge testing between East Perth and Burswood over the weekend.

“It was worth it, wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

“It’s important that people come along and support these things and be part of it.”

Mr Burns said they would use the bridge regularly.

“This is absolutely one of our routes we do every week so for us it connects us with East Perth,” he said,

Project director Ilario Spagnolo said sensors recorded movement and the data was monitored by a team from Curtin University.