- Fremantle Traffic Bridge to close on 1 February 2026 for up to 12 months
- Range of measures to support bridge closure in place from start of 2026 school year
- Community information sessions underway and resources available to help people plan their journeys
- Live Traffic WA app launched to provide real-time travel updates during the closure
- New traffic bridge part of Cook Government's commitment to delivering quality infrastructure for Western Australians and improving Fremantle's road network
The State Government has confirmed the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close on 1 February 2026, to enable completion of a new and iconic bridge for the port city.
The bridge will be closed for up to 12 months, with the construction schedule to be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the program expedited where possible.
Replacement of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will improve journeys for road, shared path and river users as part of the Cook Government's commitment to delivering quality infrastructure and improving the State's road network.
In October, the State Government announced its full suite of initiatives to reduce peak-hour vehicle usage and keep Stirling Highway moving during the closure period.
This package includes additional train and bus services, a free-travel zone along South Terrace between Douro Road and Fremantle Station, additional transit officers, and parking at Fremantle Station will be expanded and made free for passengers using SmartRiders.
Removing the current $2 parking fee at the station and a new one-zone flat fare will provide a weekly saving of up to $27 for commuters using the train to travel from Fremantle to Perth, five days a week.
To keep traffic on Stirling Highway moving, Main Roads is modifying 15 intersections, with 18 new devices being installed to provide enhanced real-time monitoring of traffic movements so the information can be relayed immediately to road users.
Incident response teams will also be permanently stationed alongside Stirling Highway in the area to respond immediately to any issues that occur on the road network.
The State Government will continue to work with stakeholders and industry to explore further measures to minimise traffic disruptions.
Resources, including factsheets and an interactive map, are available on the Main Roads website to help road users familiarise themselves with the changes, with pocket guides to be distributed to over 40,000 residences in Fremantle and surrounding areas in the coming weeks.
Main Roads has also released a new mobile phone app, which can provide drivers in the Fremantle area with real-time alerts on traffic conditions and congestion.
The Live Traffic WA app is based on the Traffic ALT app, which was successfully piloted during the full closure of the Armadale train line in 2023.
The Fremantle Bridges Alliance is hosting a series of community pop-up sessions between now and February to share information about the changes.
Pop-ups will be held in Fremantle, North Fremantle and East Fremantle, as well as Claremont and Subiaco. A full program is available on the Main Roads website.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge is essential to complete the new bridge, but we recognise it will have an impact on the local road network and people's travel times.
"The State Government has been working extensively over 18 months to ensure stakeholders and the community are aware of the upcoming closure and how they can best move around the road network during this time.
"We have developed a suite of measures to encourage peak time road users to consider alternative ways to travel on public transport and are rolling out smart traffic monitoring technology to provide real-time updates on traffic and congestion.
"We're encouraging road users to consider their travel patterns during this time and how they can help reduce congestion on the road network during peak periods."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"The Cook Government has worked collaboratively with the community to develop ways to keep the road network moving during the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.
"We understand the closure will cause disruptions for our community which is why we're delivering a wide range of measures to encourage alternative travel options during peak times.
"It's now time for road users to start thinking about how they can do their peak time commute differently, to help keep the network moving.
"I encourage Fremantle locals to visit a pop-up display to chat with the project team, check out the Main Roads website or download the Live Traffic WA app ready for 1 February."
As stated by Bicton MLA Lisa O'Malley:
"The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge is making great progress with the site changing on a daily basis as the new structure rises around the old bridge.
"We know the closure of the old bridge will cause some inconvenience and delays on the road network, which is why we're implementing a range of measures to support locals.
"With additional public transport services and free parking planned to coincide with the closure, it's a great time to re-examine your travel habits and help beat the peak."
