Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure

As the community reassesses how to get around, it will be critical to reduce vehicle numbers on the road network to manage traffic congestion in and around the area.

The bridge will close for up to 12 months from 1 February 2026. This will limit access and impact commute times, particularly along Stirling Highway and Canning Highway, and crossing Stirling Bridge.

The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure is partnering with Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority, and collaborating with local governments and schools, to support and encourage people to rethink car trips.

It’s an opportunity to consider alternative travel options, such as public transport, carpooling or walking, wheeling and riding for at least part of the journey.

Catch a bus or train

More buses and trains and free parking at stations are available to help people get to where they need to go during the closure. Support on offer includes:

• two additional trains in the AM and PM peak periods
• 3 dedicated school bus services
• around 100 additional car parking bays at Fremantle Station, with free parking for train users tagging on with a valid SmartRider
• one flat fare of $2.80 when using a valid SmartRider with autoload activated
• free travel for SmartRider users between Fremantle Station and Douro Road (along Marine Terrace and South Terrace).

Plan your journey, use the Transperth app or call the InfoLine on 13 62 13.

Could this be a time to reconsider your travel habits? 

Try parking the car away from congested areas or leave it at home entirely  and walk, wheel or ride to the train station or bus stop.

Existing crossings of Stirling Highway at Marmion Street, Canning Highway and Tydeman Road have been upgraded following liaison with schools and community members:

• Stirling Highway and Marmion Street intersection
  • New timers at all four corners, benefiting locals and school children attending East Fremantle Primary and John Curtin College of the Arts.
• Stirling Highway and Tydeman Road intersection
  • In the Christmas holidays, new timers will be installed.
• Stirling Highway and Canning Highway intersection
  • In January 2026, new timers will be installed at all four corners and slip lanes; median islands will be widened to provide more space for users.

School engagement

We’re working with up to 16 schools to help them discover different ways to travel.

As part of our engagement, we’re providing bespoke safe routes to school access guides. These are handy maps that help families plan the best ways to get to school, without using the car.

A number of these schools have also signed up to receive intensive support through our Your Move program, providing additional resources to encourage active travel to school.

If you’re interested in joining the Your Move program and getting an access map your school, contact our Your Move team: yourmove@transport.wa.gov.au

More about the Fremantle Traffic Bridge project

The new traffic bridge will create a striking gateway to Walyalup (Fremantle) and improve journeys for all road and river users, including wider and safer paths for people to walk, wheel and ride.

The Fremantle Traffic Bridge was opened in 1939 as a temporary structure (the fourth built at this site) and has served its function well. The bridge has been deteriorating over several years, and despite extensive strengthening and maintenance works, it needs to be replaced. A new extradosed bridge with cantilevers and cable support will be built on the existing alignment and will be the fifth bridge in this location.

For more information, visit the Main Roads WA Swan River Crossings webpage, where you can sign up for project updates.