New Mandurah bridge comes to life with spectacular lights display

THOUSANDS of people enjoyed a stunning light spectacular when the new Mandurah bridge was lit during a celebration picnic on Sunday.

Families took a picnic to the foreshore and also enjoyed twilight market stalls, live music, children’s activities, pony rides and face painting.

A highlight of the evening was the attendance of three members of the Stallard and Caporn families at the ceremony to unveil the plaque.

They were tracked down by the City and, as children, attended the opening of the previous traffic bridge in 1953.

Their grandfather Walter Anderson was chairman of the Mandurah Road Board at the time.

When the bridge lit up, people stood up and applauded, which was “very special” according to Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams.

He described the new bridge as an amazing collaboration between the City, the State Government and developers Georgiou. “It’s a great example of how effective we can be when we work together,’’ he said.

The new bridge has been in the pipeline for many years, through the reigns of three mayors – Keith Holmes, Paddi Creevey and Marina Vergone – and current mayor Rhys Williams.

Mr Williams said the bridge had provided 200 construction jobs and also paid tribute to the local community reference group that came up with the curvature design.

The lights will be on every night.