Fremantle’s traffic bridge is closing soon. Here’s what it means for your commute

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Extra trains, buses and a free travel zone in Fremantle are hoped to ease the pain for commuters and Labor prepares to close the old traffic bridge crossing the river at the entrance to the port city.

Fresh from celebrating the end to one of the biggest public transport shutdowns in Perth’s history, the government is readying itself for another major logistical challenge when the major thoroughfare closes for 12 months from February 2026 while a new bridge is built.

The design for the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge, which is currently under construction.

Extra school bus services along Stirling Highway had already been announced in September, with Transport Minister Rita Saffioti at the time urging private school students in the western suburbs to take the bus, not mum’s car.

Now, Saffioti has revealed a bolstered public transport roster following a community survey as part of planning for the shutdown.

Among the initiatives is a free travel zone along South Terrace between Douro Road in South Fremantle and the Fremantle Train Station, where the government will also provide another 100 parking bays.

Two more train services on the Fremantle line will run in the morning and afternoon peak times, while extra buses will run along the 107, 998 and 999 routes.

Saffioti said feedback from the survey was critical to the development of the measures announced on Monday.

“We know there will be disruption and congestion created by this bridge closure, but this comprehensive package of initiatives will help ease those impacts,” she said.

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said the old bridge had to be replaced, “but we recognise doing that comes with a period of disruption for the community”.

“A free travel zone for all bus services operating along South Terrace between Douro Road and Fremantle Station and additional trains on the Fremantle line will make it easier for people to use public transport,” she said.

Iona Presentation College, St Hilda’s Anglican School and Presbyterian Ladies’ College were also singled out for special school bus services due to their proximity to Stirling Highway and the number of cars travelling to and from the schools over Stirling Highway.

The government is yet to announce exact dates for the closure beyond February next year, however on Monday it said the project remained on track, with towers in place on all four corners of the new bridge.

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