A major safety concern has been identified on one of Perth's busiest river crossings, with hundreds of crucial pipe supports on the Narrows Bridge found to be well past their replacement date and at risk of a catastrophic failure.
Audit Uncovers Critical Infrastructure Risk
An internal audit conducted by Main Roads WA has exposed a significant maintenance backlog on the Narrows Bridge. The investigation focused on the structural supports, known as pipe hangers, which secure large water and gas pipelines running along the underside of the bridge. The audit concluded that more than 400 of these hangers are overdue for replacement.
These components are essential for safely suspending the heavy pipelines that cross the Swan River. The audit report, dated October 2023, delivered a stark warning. It stated that the failure of these degraded hangers could lead to "catastrophic" consequences, including the potential for pipelines to detach and fall. Such an event would not only cause massive disruption but also pose a severe risk to public safety and the environment below.
Government Response and Replacement Timeline
In response to the alarming audit findings, the WA state government has announced a plan to address the critical issue. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti confirmed that a contract has been awarded to replace the failing infrastructure. The government has committed $5.5 million to fund the urgent replacement program.
The project will see all 403 overdue pipe hangers replaced with new, corrosion-resistant units. Work is scheduled to commence in the coming months, with completion expected by mid-2025. Minister Saffioti moved to reassure the public, stating that while the hangers are overdue for replacement, ongoing inspections have ensured the bridge remains safe for use. She attributed the delay to a previous focus on other essential maintenance and the complexities of working on the busy bridge.
Broader Implications for Infrastructure Maintenance
This incident has sparked wider questions about the maintenance of Western Australia's ageing infrastructure assets. The Narrows Bridge, a key link between Perth's CBD and southern suburbs, carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily. The discovery of such a critical backlog highlights the challenges of managing and funding long-term upkeep.
Opposition transport spokesman Shane Love criticised the government, calling the situation a "serious failure" in asset management. He argued that allowing hundreds of safety-critical components to fall so far behind their replacement schedule is unacceptable and demands greater accountability.
Main Roads WA has stated that the replacement program will be prioritised to address the most critical hangers first. The agency maintains a regular inspection regime for all bridge components, but this audit has prompted a review of maintenance schedules for similar assets across the state's network to prevent a repeat of this scenario.
