New Buckingham Bridge opens to traffic

• $8.9million Buckingham Bridge now open to traffic

• Project completed on time and on budget

• Original bridge destroyed in 2011 bushfires

The new Buckingham Bridge over the Canning River on Brookton Highway has today opened to traffic.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the new modern concrete and steel bridge was built to replace the timber traffic bridge destroyed in the 2011 Kelmscott/Roleystone bushfires. 

"The new Buckingham Bridge is part of the key transport route between Kelmscott and Brookton and is used by up to 4,000 vehicles a day," Mr Buswell said.

"The new bridge is three metres higher than the original timber bridge, which combined with new approach roads is now safer for road users.

"While a temporary culvert crossing was constructed immediately after the bushfires, it was always intended to replace this with a new permanent bridge structure."

Buckingham Bridge is part of a key transport route between Kelmscott and the southern Wheatbelt town of Brookton and this particular section is used by up to 4,000 vehicles a day.

The total cost of the project was $8.9million with funding made available through disaster relief programs.

The Minister commended the way in which the Kelmscott and Roleystone communities had come together to rebuild their communities since the devastating fires.

The new bridge was constructed by Bocol Constructions Pty Ltd and managed by Main Roads WA.

       Fact File

• The February 2011 bushfires destroyed the original Buckingham Bridge (built in 1935), along with some 70 residential homes

• Main Roads WA completed construction of a temporary culvert crossing of Canning River on Brookton Highway by early March 2011

• The new 25 metre long-10.8 metre wide bridge was built on the southern side of the existing temporary culvert crossing. A 2.5 metre pedestrian crossing runs alongside the bridge

• The temporary crossing will be removed by late August

• The project was funded through the Natural Disaster State Contingency fund and the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements

Minister's office - 6552 6400