A NEW page has been added to the history of the Bibbulmun Track with the opening of a new suspension bridge to replace Long Gully Bridge, destroyed in the 2015 Boddington bushfires.
The new bridge, 12km downstream of the old bridge site in Lane Poole Reserve, has been named Bilya Djena Bidi, Aboriginal for swinging river footbridge.
The locally designed and built bridge spans 82m and includes two 12m towers holding the bridge above the 100-year predicted flood level, enabling Bibbulmun Track walkers to safely cross the Murray River.
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READ NOWThe $850,000 project was funded by the State Government, Bibbulmun Track Foundation and Alcoa with support from engineering company BG and E Pty Ltd who developed the concept design free of charge.
The track is one of the world’s greatest long distance walk trails, stretching almost 1000km from Kalamunda to Albany.
The opening of the bridge coincides with redevelopment of the newly named Dwaarlinbdjirraap picnic areas at Baden Powell, one of WA’s most popular picnic and camping spots.
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