Construction has officially kicked off on the rainbow Perth Kids’ Bridge, which will link the QEII Medical Centre Campus to Kings Park.

When complete, the three-metre wide, 217-metre long bridge will provide sick kids and their families with a safe crossing point over Winthrop Avenue, connecting with the beauty and nature of Kings Park.

Western Australian construction and engineering company, Civmec, will undertake construction of the bridge, using almost 300 tonnes of locally fabricated steel and employing 40 people – including apprentices and trainees.

The Kids’ Bridge will provide inpatients, outpatients and families with easier access to Kings Park while receiving treatment at Perth Children’s Hospital, and provide an opportunity for a range of therapies, including allied health, to be delivered in an environment that harnesses the benefits of nature.

The benefits also extend to staff across the QEII campus, who can easily access the park for fitness, lifestyle and wellbeing activities as well as using the existing cycle and pedestrian paths for commuting.

The Kids’ Bridge colour palette will be complemented by a programmable feature lighting installation that will co-ordinate with other State Government structures like Matagarup Bridge.

The project was made possible by a generous $6.3 million funding commitment from the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and construction is due to be completed in mid-2021.

Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, said the new rainbow bridge will become an iconic structure along Winthrop Avenue.

“This locally made bridge will provide a much-needed link for Perth Children’s Hospital patients and their families to the beauty of Kings Park,” Mr McGowan said.

“I thank the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and all the key stakeholders who have come together to make this project a reality.”

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Chairman, the Hon. Ian Campbell, added that after nineteen years of dreaming and nine years of planning and fundraising – in six months from now, kids and families spending time at the hospital will be able to walk across this bridge connecting one of the world’s greatest children’s hospitals with one of the world’s greatest urban bushland parks.

“This is a historic link for generations to come – a bridge to our ancient past, a bridge to nature, and a bridge to a healthy future,” he said.