View source for Horseshoe Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge in Perth, Western Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name                = Horseshoe Bridge
| native_name         = 
| native_name_lang    = 
| image               = File:Horseshoe Bridge, looking north-east.jpg
| image_upright       = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = Horseshoe Bridge in November 2012 with [[Perth City Link]] construction works happening under and adjacent to the bridge
| coordinates         = {{coord |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name={{wikidata |property |P1448 }} |display=inline,title |format=dms}}
| os_grid_reference   = 
| qid                 = 
| refs                = 
| carries             = [[William Street, Perth|William Street]]
| crosses             = 
| locale              = [[Perth]], [[Western Australia]]
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| mapframe-zoom       = 14
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| mapframe-custom     = {{OSM Location map
|coord={{coord |-31.951381 |115.860422 }}
|zoom=15
|float=center
|nolabels=1
|width=250
|height=155 <!-- try golden ratio -->
|title=Moving across the railway
|caption=Horseshoe Bridge (1) is situated west of [[Perth railway station|Perth Station]] (2) and [[Barrack Street Bridge]] (3). Pedestrians may also pass between the [[Perth#cbd|Perth CBD]] and [[Northbridge, Western Australia|Northbridge]] across [[Yagan Square]] (4), and between the CBD and [[Perth Cultural Centre]] via Padbury Walk (5), Upper Level Walkway (6) and Gallery Walk (7). [[King Street, Perth|King Street]] (8) is further west.

|arc-coordA={{coord |-31.946162 |115.852480 }}
|arc-textA=NORTHBRIDGE 
|arc-text-sizeA=<!-- default is 12 -->
|arc-text-colorA=soft brown 
|arc-angleA=-170
|arc-gapA=-1.2
|arc-radiusA=1.6

|arc-coordB={{coord |-31.953352 |115.8584 }}
|arc-textB=CBD 
|arc-text-sizeB=11
|arc-text-colorB=hard grey
|arc-angleB=-160
|arc-gapB=-1.2
|arc-radiusB=1.6

|arc-coordC={{coord |-31.949131 |115.859560 }}
|arc-textC=CULTURAL CENTRE
|arc-text-sizeC=5
|arc-text-colorC=hard grey
|arc-angleC=20
|arc-gapC=1.1
|arc-radiusC=0.8

|shape-opacityD=50
|label-sizeD=11
|shape-haloD=-2
|shapeD=n-circle
|shape-colorD=dark blue
|shape-outlineD=white

|label1=Horseshoe
|labela1=Bridge
|mark-coord1={{coord |qid=Q3140812 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name={{wikidata |property |Q3140812 |P1448 }} |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title1=Horseshoe Bridge
|shape-halo1=15
|shape-opacity1=100
|label-pos1=top
|label-offset-x1=4
|label-offset-y1=-3
|mark-image1=Yagan Square, Perth, seen from Central Park, January 2021.jpg
|mark-description1=Horseshoe Bridge was constructed in 1904 and carries [[William Street, Perth|William Street]] over the railway.

|label2=Perth Station
|mark-coord2={{coord |qid=Q7170917 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:250 |name={{wikidata |property |Q7170917 |P1448 }} |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title2=[[Perth railway station|Perth Station]]
|shape-color2=dark red
|label-pos2=left
|label-offset-x2=2
|label-offset-y2=6
|mark-image2=Transperth Perth Train Station.jpg
|mark-description2=Perth Station comprises nine platforms, two of which are below ground and perpendicular to the other seven in a part of the station known as Perth Underground.

|label3=Barrack Street 
|labela3=Bridge
|mark-coord3={{coord |qid=Q16253415 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name={{wikidata |property |Q16253415 |P1448 }} |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title3=[[Barrack Street Bridge]]
|label-pos3=right
|label-offset-x3=9
|label-offset-y3=-6
|mark-image3=Governor class leaving Perth Railway station 1930s.jpg
|mark-description3=Barrack Street Bridge was constructed in 1908 and carries [[Beaufort Street]] over the railway. Known to be called Beaufort Street Bridge at times, it replaced a timber bridge that was demolished in 1894.

|label4=Yagan
|labela4=Square
|mark-coord4={{coord |qid=Q29025030 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:250 |name={{wikidata |property |Q29025030 |P1448 }} |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title4=[[Yagan Square]]
|shape-color4=dark green
|label-pos4=left
|label-offset-x4=1
|label-offset-y4=-7
|mark-image4=Yagan Square - Wirin, March 2018 02.jpg
|mark-description4=Opened in 2018, Yagan Square is a {{convert|1.1|ha|adj=on}} pedestrian square between [[Wellington Street, Perth|Wellington Street]] and [[Roe Street, Perth|Roe Street]].

|label5=Padbury Walk
|mark-coord5={{coord |-31.951879 |115.86021 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name=Padbury Walk |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title5=Padbury Walk
|shape-color5=dark green
|label-pos5=left
|label-offset-x5=2
|label-offset-y5=6
|mark-image5=Padbury walk sign and Forrest Place buildings in view.jpg
|mark-description5=Elevated walkway around [[Forrest Chase]] connecting Perth Station with the CBD.

|label6=Upper Level Walkway
|mark-coord6={{coord |-31.951408 |115.860527 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name=Upper Level Walkway |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title6=Upper Level Walkway
|shape-color6=dark green
|label-pos6=right
|label-offset-x6=1
|label-offset-y6=-7
|mark-image6=Perth Station.jpg
|mark-description6=Walkway through Perth Station, connecting the [[Perth Cultural Centre]] with the CBD, that provides access to station platforms and Citiplace.

|label7=Gallery Walk
|mark-coord7={{coord |-31.950819 |115.860504 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name=Gallery Walk |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title7=Gallery Walk
|shape-color7=dark green
|label-pos7=right
|label-offset-x7=1
|label-offset-y7=-7
|mark-image7=Perth cultural center from station.JPG
|mark-description7=Named to commemorate the centenary of the [[Art Gallery of Western Australia]], the Gallery Walk connects the [[Perth Cultural Centre]] with Perth Station.

|label8=King
|labela8=Street
|mark-coord8={{coord |-31.949147 |115.855990 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:250 |name=King Street |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title8=[[King Street, Perth|King Street]]
|label-pos8=bottom
|label-offset-x8=0
|label-offset-y8=0
|mark-image8=
|mark-description8=Pedestrians and vehicles may move between the [[Perth#cbd|CBD]] and [[Northbridge, Western Australia|Northbridge]] via King Street since being extended to [[Roe Street, Perth|Roe Street]] as part of the [[Perth City Link]] project.

|label9=Moore
|labela9=Street
|labelb9=Pedestrian Crossing
|mark-coord9={{coord |-31.952269 |115.865107 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name=Moore Street Pedestrian Crossing |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title9=Moore Street Pedestrian Crossing
|shape-color9=dark green
|label-pos9=left
|label-offset-x9=12
|label-offset-y9=10
|mark-image9=
|mark-description9=Moore Street Pedestrian Crossing connects Moore Street with [[Pier Street, Perth|Pier Street]] across the railway.

|label10=McIver Station Underpass
|mark-coord10={{coord |-31.951577 |115.866957 |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:100 |name=McIver Station Underpass |display=inline |format=dms}}
|mark-title10=McIver Station Underpass
|shape-color10=dark green
|label-pos10=right
|label-offset-x10=1
|label-offset-y10=0
|mark-image10=
|mark-description10=McIver Station Underpass passes underneath the railway at the eastern end of [[McIver railway station|McIver Station]].
}}
| extra               = {{Infobox designation list
 | embed                   = yes
 | designation1            = State Register of Heritage Places
 | designation1_offname    = 
 | designation1_type       = State Registered Place
 | designation1_criteria   = 
 | designation1_date       = 4 August 1992
 | delisted1_date          = 
 | designation1_partof     = 
 | designation1_number     = {{SRHP|2153}}
 }}
}}
The '''Horseshoe Bridge''' in [[Perth]], Western Australia is a traffic bridge that connects the Perth CBD to Northbridge, carrying [[William Street, Perth|William Street]]. It was constructed in 1904 to pass over the [[Fremantle railway line]], with the [[horseshoe]] shape designed to fit the approach ramps into a constricted site.

==Description==
[[File:Horseshoe Bridge, Perth.jpg|thumb|right|Looking southeast around 2008 across southern section of Horseshoe Bridge towards [[Forrest Place]]]]
The Horseshoe Bridge is a classically inspired brick and stucco traffic bridge located in the central business district of [[Perth (suburb)|Perth]], [[Western Australia]]. The bridge connects the Perth CBD to Northbridge by allowing traffic to continue along [[William Street, Perth|William Street]] and was originally designed to pass over the surface level [[Fremantle railway line|railway lines]] that for many years existed to the west of [[Perth railway station]]. The bridge's name is derived from its shape: a [[horseshoe]]. This design was an innovative solution to the problem of bridging a railway within tight urban constraints.

The bridge is a handsome structure of its period and a very sophisticated piece of urban design. The main structural elements of the bridge are of steel, and it is supported by a series of semi-circular arches with rendered decorative treatment. Many of the arches on the [[Wellington Street, Perth|Wellington Street]] elevation have been enclosed with glass, which in the past created shop fronts to retail spaces behind. The balustrades are rendered concrete and sculptures of swans decorate the end piers. These were specifically designed for the bridge project.<ref>[http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/html/vis08_malls.php City of Perth] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506132739/http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/html/vis08_malls.php |date=6 May 2006 }} ''Heritage''. Accessed 21 March 2006.</ref>

It is well integrated within its context and its value goes beyond mere transport. The winding form adds vitality to the Perth railway station precinct and the architecture contributes to the streetscape of Wellington Street.

The bridge has four traffic lanes. The western footpath of the bridge has an entry point to [[Yagan Square]]. The eastern footpath formerly gave direct access to the train station which was later removed when it became a gated station.

==History==
[[File:HorseshoeBridge.jpg|thumb|right|Looking over Horseshoe Bridge around 1904–1905 from southwestern corner of the [[Wellington Street, Perth|Wellington]] and [[William Street, Perth|William]] streets intersection, where the [[Royal Hotel, Perth|Royal Hotel]] is {{as of |2019|lc=y}}]]
The bridge was constructed in 1904 to reduce train-induced traffic congestion in William Street. During the last decade of the 19th century, WA's Engineer-in-Chief, [[C. Y. O'Connor|{{thinspace|C.|Y.}} O'Connor]], had overseen the construction of Perth's suburban railway system, which radiated out from a central railway station in Wellington Street in the city. As the line effectively cut the city off from its northern suburbs, a number of bridges and level crossings had to be built to connect the two areas. A bridge over the railway was constructed between [[Barrack Street|Barrack]] and [[Beaufort Street]]s in 1894, as well as two pedestrian crossings, however by the mid 1890s there were seven lines and the William Street crossing was closed for most of the day as railway traffic continued to increase.

In a site with no land for approaches, the shape of the proposed William Street bridge was chosen as the only viable option for achieving the necessary gradients for horsedrawn vehicles. It was initially unpopular in some circles because it replaced the two pedestrian overpasses and the shape of the new bridge meant that pedestrians had to walk a great deal further to pass over the railway lines.<ref name=abc/> Overall however, traffic increased strongly, with a favourable impact on the commercial development of William Street. Traffic could now pass between the northern and southern parts of the city independently of railway traffic and without the delays at the William Street crossing.

The bridge is one of the oldest surviving bridges in central Perth. Structurally it has been modified to accommodate heavier vehicles, but the work has been undertaken in a manner that preserves the authenticity of the original design. The bridge enjoys heritage recognition, including listings on the Heritage Council's State Register of Heritage Places,<ref>[https://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/docs/general-publications/state-register-of-heritage-places-june2014.pdf?sfvrsn=2 ''Register of Heritage Places'']. Accessed 12 December 2013</ref>{{full citation needed |date=March 2025}} the Register of the National Estate, [[City of Perth|City of Perth's]] Municipal Inventory and the National Trust.<ref>[http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Australia/State_of_Western_Australia/Perth-1871231/Things_To_Do-Perth-Perth_City_Centre-BR-4.html  ''Perth City Centre, Perth, Australia'']. Accessed 21 March 2006</ref>{{full citation needed |date=March 2025}}

In 1986, the bridge carried approximately 18,000 vehicles per day into the city. The bridge was closed on 30 November 2009 for restoration and conversion to two-way traffic. It was expected to remain closed for four months.<ref>[http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/horseshoe-bridge-to-close-for-four-months-20091119-inmi.html Horseshoe Bridge to close for four months]</ref>{{full citation needed |date=March 2025}} The bridge was reopened with two-way traffic on 26 June 2010, just under three months later than originally planned.<ref>[http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/ServiceUpdates/ServiceDisruptions/tabid/128/newsid563/1535/Default.aspx Transperth Service Information]</ref>{{full citation needed |date=March 2025}}

In the early 2010s the [[Perth City Link]] project sunk the railway lines the bridge was originally designed to pass over, with [[Yagan Square]] constructed atop the now freed up land to the immediate west of the bridge. Despite this, the Horseshoe Bridge still remains as a major traffic link into the CBD.<ref name=abc>[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-01/perth-horseshoe-bridge-still-vital-to-the-city/7292312 Horseshoe Bridge in Perth provides vital cross city traffic link 112 years after opening]</ref>{{full citation needed |date=March 2025}}

==See also==
*[[Barrack Street Bridge]]

== References ==
{{Reflist |30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&ll=-31.950857,115.859317&spn=0.00208,0.006781&t=k&om=1 Google Maps] Satellite image of Horseshoe Bridge from Google Maps
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/dybarber/3596897991/ Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia, 1936.] W.E. Fretwell Collection

{{Subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Western Australia |portal2=Australian Roads }}
{{Road infrastructure in Perth}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1903]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:State Register of Heritage Places in the City of Perth]]
[[Category:William Street, Perth]]