IT opened a fortnight ago at a cost of more than $80 million and 18 months late, but Matagarup Bridge users will have to wait until the end of the year for it to be finally finished.

Those crossing the footbridge for the first time this month have been confronted by wonky balustrades, dented panels, exposed and dirty concrete, and widespread paint splashes and other marks.

Pedestrians using the bridge in heavy rain before the Chelsea and Perth Glory match this week expressed surprise at how the surface handled the wet weather.

The next major test will come on Sunday for the Western Derby.

When The Sunday Times crossed the bridge on Thursday we found:

PUDDLES of water had not drained properly.

UNEVEN surfaces yet to be finished.

DARK paint splattered across the white hand railings.

RAILINGS not aligned properly.

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Uneven surface. Credit: The Sunday Times

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Splattered paint. Credit: The Sunday Times

The state of the much-maligned pedestrian span has sparked a slanging match between the McGowan Government and Opposition, which claims the opening was rushed.

“The question must be asked: why was the bridge opened when it was not complete?” Opposition transport spokeswoman Liza Harvey said.

“If it has been opened just so Minister (Rita) Saffioti can say she met a deadline, when it is clearly incomplete, this will show the Government is totally and utterly focused on spin.

“Its priority should have been to have the bridge completed in full, properly and safely before it opened.”

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Bits of wood. Credit: The Sunday Times

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Works in progress. Credit: The Sunday Times

Acting Transport Minister Bill Johnston returned serve, saying the bridge was a crucial part of the Optus Stadium transport plan and that as soon as it was ready to relieve some of the pressure off the public transport network the only option was to open it.

“It is unbelievable the Opposition has the gall to criticise us for getting on and fixing one of the former government’s biggest disasters,” he said.

“They sent the work and jobs offshore, they sold out Western Australian steel companies, they delayed the project by 18 months and now they are criticising us for actually getting it built and open.”

Mr Johnston said the State Government made it clear when the bridge opened there was still cosmetic and other work to be carried out. He said works would continue until late 2018.

“These works include, but are not limited to, installing seating areas and shelter canopies on the bridge, removing the temporary construction causeway rock material from the river, steelwork painting, and tidy-up and realignment work on the bridge balustrades and some of the external cladding,” Mr Johnston said.

“Application of the final ‘omnigrip’ surface on the bridge deck will be carried out later this year, as this layer needs to be applied after the concrete deck is in place for a period of time.”

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Rail doesn’t meet. Credit: The Sunday Times

Camera Icon Examples of unfinished or poorly completed works on Matagarup Brudge. Puddles of rain. Credit: The Sunday Times

The Swan River Pedestrian Bridge Alliance, led by York Rizzani Joint Venture, is responsible for the remaining work. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union declined to comment on the state of the project.

Ms Harvey said the unfinished bridge posed a hazard to pedestrians and finishing touches would take “significantly more time” and could come at greater expense to taxpayers — claims rubbished by Mr Johnston who said all remaining works were included in the $94.5 million budget.

“Work areas are clearly marked and fenced,” he said.