BARKERS Bridge in Guildford has been reduced to single-lane traffic, with commuters facing delays as structural concerns are being assessed.

Temporary traffic lights were installed on April 17, with the City of Swan saying the change was needed to maintain safety while the bridge is investigated.

The bridge is now operating under traffic control, with only one direction of travel permitted at a time.

Echo News visited the site outside of peak hour traffic on Wednesday to see cars lined up past the roundabout on Stirling Square.

Drivers using the route have reported slower travel times, particularly during peak periods, with queues forming on either side of the crossing.

City of Swan councillor Rod Henderson said he’d heard from residents in his ward who were complaining about the long commute times in the already traffic-heavy Guildford area.

“It’s a heritage listed bridge so it’s valued by the community and one of the considerations that go into its repair is how to repair it while retaining the heritage aspect,” he said.

“I have heard it may have been a problem with its pylons, and you wouldn’t want to put weight on it before it’s been thoroughly assessed.

“The city will need an engineering report done and, in the meantime, the key thing for residents to know is that there are alternate routes to their destinations that can and should be taken at this time.”

The City of Swan said the issue was identified during routine inspections by Main Roads, with further assessment now underway to determine the extent of required repairs.

A specialist consultant has been engaged to assess the structure, with repair works to be planned following the outcome of that process.

At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for when full access will be restored.

The city said the duration of the disruption would depend on engineering findings, contractor availability and weather conditions.

For commuters, the uncertainty has added to frustration, with the bridge forming part of a key local connection.

Motorists are being encouraged to allow extra travel time or consider alternative routes where possible while traffic management remains in place.

The City of Swan said its priority was to keep the bridge open where it is safe to do so while planning for necessary works.

Main Roads has been contacted for comment.