#28 Hamilton Street Bridge, Subiaco

Part of a series of posts by Neil Cownie on The Future of Swanbourne Village

The new Hamilton Street Bridge in Subiaco is the latest new bridge in as part of the State Government bridge replacement program. I would say that this standard utilitarian bridge is fit for purpose in its location. Primarily for the transfer of vehicles, the pedestrian experience across the bridge is a series of utilitarian barriers and screens with a ‘cold’ and ‘hostile’ feel.

The bridge spans the railway where the levels on each side of the railway are similar, resulting in a bridge that feels more like an extension of the road system than a bridge. It is important to compare this to the situation at the proposed location for the replacement bridge in Swanbourne where the difference in level on either side of the bridge will be close to three meters. This then creates a different ‘animal’ completely, as long ramps down between levels will be required.