Researchers from The University of Western Australia are urging users of the iconic new Boorloo Bridge to share their experiences as part of a series of surveys exploring how the bridge is transforming life for Perth residents and businesses.
The project, led by the UWA Business School in partnership with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, is investigating how the 10-month-old bridge is changing the way people move, connect, do business and experience the city.
Boorloo Bridge crosses the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) parallel to the Causeway Bridge and is dedicated for people walking, wheeling or riding between the Victoria Park foreshore and the CBD at Point Fraser, via Heirisson Island.
Officially opened in December last year, the one-kilometre-long cable bridge is named for the Noongar word for Perth, with the design recognising Whadjuk Noongar culture and the heritage significance of the area.
The research team completed the first of three surveys on Sunday 12 October, having intercepted more than 1,100 bridge users over a 14-day period to ask them how they used the bridge and what they thought of it.
Lead researcher Professor Doina Olaru, from the Planning and Transport Research Centre at UWA (PATREC), said so far the responses had provided great insights into how the bridge is being used for different purposes.
Co-researcher Associate Professor Brett Smith said there had been an observable shift away from using the narrow path on the Causeway that previously was the only way for people to walk or ride across.
The team encountered hundreds of users from both nearby and distant suburbs, as well as visitors from interstate and overseas.
“One visitor had seen the lights of the bridge while coming in to land at the airport and sought it out as part of their sightseeing,” Professor Olaru said.
Now the researchers want to cast the net wider, inviting people from across the city to respond to an online household survey that will run until October 31.
The team is keen to hear both from locals and people who have travelled from further away to use the bridge but would also welcome views from those who’ve not yet visited the precinct.
“Community feedback – whether people have used the bridge yet or not, and whether they’re walking, bike riding, running, using a scooter or other personal mobility device, commuting or simply exploring – will help shape how the bridge and surrounding spaces are used in the future,” Professor Olaru said.
A third survey, also to run until 31 October, will see researchers doorknock businesses within a 4km radius of the bridge to ask about any changes in customer flow, economic activity and community dynamics since the bridge’s opening.
This engagement will particularly target nearby businesses in the tourism and hospitality, entertainment, recreation, retail and customer services sectors.
“We want to get insight from both smaller businesses and the big companies like Optus Stadium and Crown,” Professor Olaru said.
“Having a better understanding of how people are using the bridge, and the economic and other impacts that come with that, will help benchmark the real-world impact of these kinds of major infrastructure investments and guide future planning.”
To find out more or to participate in the household survey, head to the Boorloo Bridge Evaluation Project webpage or email the research team on [email protected].
Photos courtesy of City of Perth.