WestCycle advocacy update: Fremantle Traffic Bridge Replacement Project

Posted by Shane Starling
19 January, 2026

WestCycle continues to advocate for safety and wayfinding improvements around Stirling Bridge to support riders ahead of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure on 1 February 2026. (Check our Wayfinder and Project Info Hub here.)

Over the past two years there have been numerous meetings and site inspections with the Fremantle Traffic Bridge Alliance, Main Roads WA, City of Fremantle and the Department of Transport & Major Infrastructure.

Recently we’ve instigated positive discussions with staff from Main Roads, DTMI, the Fremantle Traffic Bridge Alliance, City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, and the Fremantle Bicycle User Group (FreoBUG), to bring the relevant parties together to secure commitments for immediate action.

We’ve also taken traffic engineers from Main Roads on bike rides to discuss the issues on-site, work through options for immediate interventions, and develop a shortlist of practical and feasible recommendations.

WestCycle and the FreoBUG have developed a map of recommended routes for urgent interventions. It includes locations for low-cost improvements across the area such as fixing damaged paths, installing pram ramps, improving crossings, better wayfinding, and on-road marking and signage to designate rider priority routes.

Regrettably there will not be a solution provided for the narrow path across Stirling Bridge.

As a result of these discussions, our expectation is that Main Roads will work with the LGAs and DTMI to install pavement markings and signage along priority active transport routes as part of their road network improvements ahead of and during the bridge closure.

We know progress has been slow

WestCycle staff ride through this area regularly and share the community’s concerns regarding the impacts of road works, congestion and rat-running on bike riders and eRideable users. While detailed strategies have been developed for managing car and truck traffic, road network improvements have mainly focused on maintaining the flow of motorised traffic, which we are concerned will worsen conditions for people riding bikes and eRideables or walking.

Recently, however, we have been encouraged by the willingness of staff in Main Roads, DTMI and the LGAs, as well as elected representatives from local and state government, to engage in constructive discussion about practical actions that can be taken immediately to improve conditions on local streets for riders.

The City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle have also passed motions at recent council meetings in support of advocacy for active transport use ahead of the Bridge closure.

We’re working with the Fremantle BUG and LGAs to cost our priority list so we can take a concrete funding ask to decision-makers. Hopefully this will mean change on the ground is not far away.