‘We are talking significant changes’ - Where traffic goes in 2026 when the Old Traffic Bridge closes

As Treasurer and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said today, under the shadow of the timbers of the Old Freo Traffic Bridge, when announcing the next big steps in the construction of the new Freo Traffic Bridge, ‘We are talking significant changes’.

Ms Saffioti, flanked by local Freo State MLA Simone McGurk and Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley, was referring to the challenges that lie ahead when the current access to North Freo and Freo across the Old Traffic Bridge ceases at the beginning of 2026, and will not resume until the New Freo Traffic Bridge is completed and opened towards the end of 2026.

In short, the big news from the Minister and Main Roads WA, is that in order to achieve the best possible traffic flows during the 2026 bridge closure period, Canning Highway at Stirling Highway, at the south side of Stirling Bridge, will be closed to vehicular traffic, except for buses.

All other modifications proposed to assist motorists to get into and out of Freo during 2026, flow from that major closure decision.

As the Minister says, we are talking significant changes to the road systems in and out of Freo for the whole of 2026.

Without these modifications, traffic modelling by Main Roads WA shows that the closure of the bridge would have a severe impact on the road network with commuters likely to experience long delays. As a result, some temporary network modifications are considered essential to keep traffic moving during the closure.

Here are a Main Road’s planning considerations for the changes.

Changes to the network will begin in late May this year and will continue through to the end of 2025 in readiness for bridge closure.

During the lead up to the closure, Main Roads strongly encourage road users to examine how and when they travel through the area. This includes consideration of the mode of travel, route choice, timings of travel, flexible work arrangements and carpooling.

The proposed changes are explained in detail in Main Roads’ Road Network Changes Fact Sheet below and this interactive map.

We are invited by Main Roads to participate in their survey to help determine:

* How you currently travel through the area, to and from work, school and other key destinations.
* What transport options you might consider during the closure.
* What would encourage you to use alternatives such as using public transport, riding a bike, car pooling and walking to and from destinations to help reduce the impact on the road network.

We have known this challenge has been coming. Now it’s more or less here. 2026 is going to be the year from hell for many, especially Freo folk, trying to get in and out of Freo, especially at peak times.

The Minister in her presentation today emphasised that a lot of community consultation has already gone into this planning and that the public and school kids will be helped out by additional buses and additional trains at peak periods.

But there’s no getting away from it; as the Minister said, without any sugar coating, ‘We are talking significant changes’.

Get ready.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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