The State Government of Western Australia has revealed the striking design for a new pedestrian bridge that will cross the Swan River in Perth, where the new Perth Stadium is currently under construction. The project is a joint venture by the Australian firm York Civil and the Italian firm Rizanni de Eccher. Some suggest that the undulations of the $41.8 million steel cable-stayed bridge resemble the river’s avian namesake, while others see the Wagyl, the river’s snakelike symbol in the indigenous Noongar culture.

The bridge will connect the 60,000-seat sports stadium to parking and public transportation, located across the river, and divert foot traffic away from nearby residential areas. Officials predict it will also serve as a celebratory space for fans during pre- and postgame cross-river treks.

To minimize the project’s environmental impact, crews will drill only two piers into the riverbed. This will leave a cable-stayed span of 525 feet at the center of the 1,312-foot bridge, which will reach 213 feet at its highest point. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2016, ahead of the stadium, which is due in 2018.

For more information visit perthstadiumom.au .

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