'Atalanta' Canning Bridge

Prior to European settlement, the Beeliar Nyoongars used the Canning River as a hunting ground as there was an abundant supply of food for them, and they used the land area around what became Canning Bridge as a campsite.

In the early days of European settlement, the site was solely a ferry crossing at the narrowest point between the later settlements of Applecross and Como, close to the junction of the Canning and Swan Rivers.

The first bridge across the river opened in 1843 to the design of Superintendent of Public Works, Henry Trigg, and constructed by Solomon Cook.

A second replacement bridge was constructed in 1849 to increase the clearance beneath the 1843 bridge.

In 1867 a new bridge was constructed with convict labour to increase traffic flow and address flood damage. This bridge was raised by 6 feet to give increased navigational clearance, to 18 feet above normal water level, in 1892.

In 1908 and 1937 new bridges were constructed to replace the forerunners. In 1958, a new bridge was constructed solely for westbound traffic and the earlier 1937 bridge designated for eastbound traffic.