A new bridge linking Treendale, a land subdivision near Australind and Bunbury in Western Australia, with Eaton, a north-eastern suburb of Bunbury, has opened for public use.

The $16.7m bridge, spanning 224m long, is located about 3km north-east of the Eaton Fair Shopping Centre and about 1.5km south of the Treendale Shopping Centre.

It is set to halve the journey time between the two communities from 20 minutes to about ten minutes and will reduce the pressure on Forrest Highway and Old Coast Road.

The bridge will provide essential access for emergency services vehicles and will connect the Treendale and Kingston subdivisions in Australind with Millbridge Private Estate and the Parkridge Estate in Eaton.

The State Government contributed $9.5m to the project and the shires of Dardanup and Harvey provided $7.2m.

“The completion of this structure will provide opportunities for improved bus services and a direct pedestrian and cycling link.”

The 14.4m-wide bridge features a steel / concrete composite superstructure that accommodates two traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway on the western side, as well as bridge lighting.

On both sides of the Collie River channel, possum ropes are planned to be installed to facilitate possum movements along the watercourse.

Work on the structure, which started in early 2017, generated up to 100 jobs during its peak construction period.

The steel components of the beams were also fabricated in Western Australia.

Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “It has been just over a year since construction on this bridge commenced, and it is great to see community excitement and anticipation build for this greatly needed project.

“Not only will road users experience the benefits of shorter travel times, the completion of this structure will provide opportunities for improved bus services and a direct pedestrian and cycling link.”