New Mandurah bridge add-ons cost a million

THE City of Mandurah chose to add more than million dollars worth of features to the as-yet unbuilt Mandurah bridge.

Main Roads, who are managing the project, provided the additional funds.

At a meeting this week, the council opted to add a shade structure to the fishing platform ($512,000), enhanced lighting to the fishing platform ($150,000), access stairs to the skate park which could also double as spectator seating ($82,000), pier lighting to the underside of the bridge to showcase it at night ($150,000), Aboriginal values heritage and public art ($500,000).

The original contract included council requirements of street lighting on the northern side with space for banners, retention of a section of the old bridge, a boardwalk on the eastern side and the retention of a pillar set in the western side in recognition of the old bridge.

Among suggestions knocked back were a bridge shade canopy at a prohibitive $6,604,985, an architectural concrete finish to the boardwalk and fishing platforms ($531,000), which were seen as impractical and not value for money.

The fact that many people did not understand why the old traffic bridge must be demolished was discussed.

Cr Dave Schumacher said it would cost “north of $23 million to keep it” and good money should not be thrown after bad.

Cr Lyn Rogers said the loss of the old bridge was sad but the new bridge would be good for Mandurah’s future.