The school visits are a new initiative to help students understand the complexities of construction and to give them hands-on 
experience in topics linked to the curriculum, such as engineering, mathematics and chemistry. Macmahon will visit four groups of students over the next few weeks.
During the visit, Community Relations Manager Craig Howarth teamed up with Environmental Manager Jeff Hallberg to speak to the 11-year-olds about how Macmahon and Main Roads are protecting the environment and keeping the community informed as the Reid Highway development progresses.
Jeff said that a significant breakthrough for the students was understanding how the environment would be improved after the new Whiteman bridge was constructed.
“What a lot of people don’t realise is that, when it rains, water polluted with oil and other chemicals from vehicles currently runs straight from the old bridge into the river,” he said.
“The new bridge will incorporate a drainage system that separates the oil from of the run-off water so only filtered water goes back into the river and the oil and sludge is stored in a sump.”
“We are also revegetating a cleared strip of land along Middle Swan Road using local native plants to help attract birds and other wildlife after construction finishes.”
Jeff also told stories of how animals found in the construction site, like snakes and birds, are being relocated to other natural habitats in the area.