❓ Question regarding the implementation of an early warning system for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge, given concerns about its structural integrity and vessel collisions. The government explains why an early warning system is not deemed appropriate and outlines alternative measures.
AnsweredQoN 2149Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Public Transport Authority tender for the Fremantle Railway Bridge Early Warning System and ask: (a) is the government looking at an Early Warning System for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge (the Old Bridge) given that thousands of passengers use that Bridge every day, and if not why not; and (b) given an Engineers Report said the likelihood of the Traffic Bridge collapsing after being hit by a vessel was 66 times above acceptable standards shouldn’t this Early Warning System be a priority?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2014
Responded by
Minister for Transport
Response time
33 days
Main Roads Western Australia advises:
(a) No. Main Roads, in conjunction with the Public Transport Authority, has investigated the use of early warning systems on both bridges. An early warning system was deemed inappropriate for the traffic bridge, which is able to flex given the nature of a bolted timber structure. The primary objective of the early warning system on the concrete rail bridge is to avoid a derailment. This issue does not exist for the traffic bridge.
(b) As it was deemed that an early warning system was inappropriate for the traffic bridge; the priority has been to design and undertake works to improve the strength of the fendering system to better protect the bridge in the event of a vessel collision. It is expected that this work will be tendered mid-year.
(a) No. Main Roads, in conjunction with the Public Transport Authority, has investigated the use of early warning systems on both bridges. An early warning system was deemed inappropriate for the traffic bridge, which is able to flex given the nature of a bolted timber structure. The primary objective of the early warning system on the concrete rail bridge is to avoid a derailment. This issue does not exist for the traffic bridge.
(b) As it was deemed that an early warning system was inappropriate for the traffic bridge; the priority has been to design and undertake works to improve the strength of the fendering system to better protect the bridge in the event of a vessel collision. It is expected that this work will be tendered mid-year.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.