WestCycle has been advised that the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close on 1 February 2026 to complete major works, including removing the old bridge, installing the new bridge deck and building the new road. While the closure is for up to 12 months, the construction schedule will be reviewed and the program expedited where possible.
(NB: For WestCycle’s travel recommendations through the area, including tips for using public transport and recommended bike routes, go here.)
Please travel carefully through the area and look out for pedestroams amd cyclists, including school students.
Main Roads also asks you to consider travel alternatives that suit your needs – catch a bus or train, travel outside peak, carpool, walk or ride.
The State Government has announced a suite of initiatives to reduce peak-hour vehicle usage and keep Stirling Highway moving during the closure, including:
- Bikes will be allowed on trains between Fremantle and North Fremantle during peak hour, where there is space, as well as off-peak as usual.
- Road network changes.
- Major investment in smart system technology to improve traffic management and flows.
- More buses and trains during peak, and a free-travel zone along South Terrace between Douro Road and Fremantle Station.
- 100 additional car bays at Fremantle Station, with free parking for SmartRider users.
- Upgraded intersections for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections on Stirling Highway at Tydeman Road, Canning Highway and Marmion Street.
A significant number of variable message boards will be placed in a large geographical area. Some will have live traffic updates, while others will give wayfinding information.
School traffic is significant during peak times. Since late 2024, Main Roads have been engaging with 16 schools north and south of the bridge to help their school communities to reconsider their travel habits, by using the extra buses, trains and other transport methods, such as carpooling.
For more information on the measures, please view the Main Roads Factsheet or Frequently Asked Questions.
Importantly, Fremantle, North Fremantle and East Fremantle are open for business, and Main Roads encourages you continue to support local businesses wherever possible.
Canning Highway and Stirling Highway intersection changes
Before the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closes, final modifications will need to be made to the Canning Highway and Stirling Highway intersection. To complete these modifications, Canning Highway (between Preston Point Road and East Street, East Fremantle) will be closed on the Australia Day long weekend from Friday 23 January to Tuesday 27 January 2026.
Four consecutive days of Canning Highway closures are needed to:
- Build an additional left turn pocket from Canning Highway eastbound onto Stirling Highway.
- Modify traffic signals (removing turning movements and installing pedestrian signals).
- Undertake line marking at all four corners.
- Complete pavement, concrete and asphalt works.
The long weekend has been chosen because:
- We need to avoid impacting access to and from major Fremantle events, including Sail GP.
- Traffic volumes are expected to be lower.
- We need to minimise impact to weekday work/school/ freight traffic.
More information (including a detour map) will be distributed via a Roadworks Update prior to the closure.
Please note that there are key changes taking effect on Tuesday 27 January 2026. Road users must seek alternative routes to travel to and from Fremantle until the new bridge opens.
- Only Transperth buses can travel east and west on Canning Highway. All other vehicles must use alternative routes.
- The right turn pocket from Canning Highway to Stirling Highway will have extra capacity.
- The left turn pocket from Canning Highway to Stirling Highway northbound will have two lanes and signals.
- There is no right turn from Stirling Highway northbound to Canning Highway (eastbound).
Transperth Buses
Main Roads is working closely with the Public Transport Authority to implement bus priority measures at 17 key intersections to support public transport during the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure.
This includes the construction of dedicated bus lanes at the Stirling Highway and Canning Highway intersection and traffic signal priority for bus services at many other intersections. Together, these upgrades will help buses move efficiently through the network, maintain reliable travel times, and encourage increased use of public transport.
The upgrades are being rolled out to maintain and ensure Fremantle’s bus network operates efficiently throughout the closure period.
Community Question – Fremantle Free Transit Zone During Fremantle Traffic Bridge Closure
Which buses will this apply to?
All buses operating along South Terrace between Fremantle Station and Douro Road, including a set of bus stops on Douro Rd. The buses operating in the Free Transit Zone are: 511, 512, 513, 520, 531, 532, 548, 549, 998, 999.
How does it work?
A valid Smart Rider or physical or digital bank card is required. Importantly:
- Your journey must start and finish within the Free Transit Zone.
- You must tag on and tag off with a valid SmartRider or physical or digital bank card. This allows the Public Transport Authority to capture patronage data.
- If your journey starts or ends outside of the Free Transit Zone, you will be charged the full fare.
Public transport passengers can enjoy the convenience of tagging on and off with their credit or debit cards, as well as digital wallets on their phones, smart watches, and other wearable devices. For more information, please see: New payment options now live across WA’s public transport network | Western Australian Government.
Figure 1: Free Travel Zone map shaded in purple.
Contacting the Right Department
The Project team responds to enquiries that fall within its remit. For significant or high-level questions that fall outside the Project’s responsibility, the team may be unable to provide detailed or accurate information.
To ensure your enquiry is directed to the appropriate department and receives an accurate response, please refer to the details below:
Public transport enquiries, including service timings or routes, should be directed to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) on (08) 9326 2000 or via email at enquiries@pta.wa.gov.au.
Path or cycling enquires, on local government paths, should be directed to the relevant Local Government Authority (LGA):
– For the City of Fremantle, please contact on (08) 9430 4634 or via email at info@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
– For the Town of East Fremantle please contact on (08) 9339 9339 or via email at admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Future Principal Shared Paths (PSP), including locations and connections, should be directed to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure Active Transport (DTMI) on 13 11 56 or via email at activetransport@transport.wa.gov.au.
Freight network enquiries, including freight operations, should be directed to Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure Freight (DTMI) on 13 11 56 or via email at contact.centre@transport.wa.gov.au.
Community Pop Ups: January 2026
Come and chat to the Main Roads community engagement team! They have pop ups at various locations throughout January 2026 so they can answer your queries. For exact locations, please view the project website here.
Further Information
Click here to learn more about the Project.
For enquiries, please phone 138 138 or email enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au.
