The Fremantle Traffic Bridge officially closed on February 1, 2026, initiating a year-long, $430 million replacement project for the 87-year-old structure.
The closure is anticipated to lead to significant traffic disruptions and has prompted the implementation of various mitigation strategies and concerns from local stakeholders.
The new cable-stayed bridge is expected to reopen in February 2027.
Closure and Project Overview
The original timber bridge, opened in 1939, had an initial estimated lifespan of 60 years but remained operational for 87 years due to concrete reinforcement.
Its replacement, a new cable-stayed bridge, will feature two lanes in each direction, wider bike paths, and increased clearance for watercraft. The design incorporates extensive off-site work to streamline the construction process.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti acknowledged the decision to align the new bridge with the existing one between Queen Victoria Streets necessitated the closure, describing it as the longest road network shutdown undertaken by the current government. The Minister expressed confidence in the project's adherence to its schedule, noting significant preparatory work had already been completed.
Traffic and Commuter Impacts
The closure is projected to affect approximately 24,000 vehicles daily that previously used the bridge.
Initial modeling suggests that a typical five-minute commute between North and South Fremantle could extend to nearly 30 minutes.
The Stirling Highway bridge has been identified as a major pinch point during this period. Local business owners have expressed concerns about a potential reduction in visitors, while residents in nearby areas anticipate increased traffic on previously quiet streets.
Mitigation Strategies
The Cook Government has introduced several measures aimed at alleviating congestion and supporting commuters:
Road Network Adjustments:
- Modifying 20 intersections.
- Establishing two on-site traffic accident response teams.
- Removing east-west travel along Canning Highway at the Stirling Highway intersection.
Public Transport Enhancements:
- Increasing bus services, including additional routes to western suburbs schools and Transperth services with intersection priority.
- Allowing bikes on trains between Fremantle and North Fremantle stations during peak times.
- Creating 100 free car bays at Fremantle Station.
- Adding general public transport services.
- Establishing a fare-free zone along sections of South Terrace.
Freight Management:
- Increasing freight transport by rail from 13 percent to 26 percent of port freight.
Stakeholder Responses and Concerns
Various stakeholders have voiced their perspectives on the project and its anticipated effects:
Government Officials:
- Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver noted effective communication from the government but requested flexibility for prompt local road interventions or bicycle infrastructure adjustments as needed.
- Fremantle MP Simone McGurk and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chrissie Maus encouraged the public to continue visiting Fremantle, asserting that the city remains operational.
Opposition and Community Groups:
- Shadow Transport Minister Steve Martin stated that the government bears responsibility for effectively mitigating the project's impacts on residents, commuters, and businesses.
- Martin also raised concerns regarding government preparedness for freight management and potential "rat runs" through residential suburbs, noting a perceived lack of specific modeling data for Stirling Bridge capacity, public transport diversion, and peak hour travel time impacts.
- Greens leader and former Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt criticized the perceived lack of detail for cyclists and pedestrians, advocating for reduced speed limits (40 or 30 km/h) in Fremantle and East Fremantle, and upgrades to the Stirling Highway bridge's bike path.