Swan River Crossings Fremantle

The closure is needed to manage increased traffic volumes and maintain flow through the area during the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge. Stirling Highway is a key freight route to and from Fremantle Port, carrying around 38,000 vehicles daily. When the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closes, an additional 24,000 vehicles from Queen Victoria Street, including key bus services, will be redirected to Stirling Highway, placing significant pressure on surrounding intersections.

The intersection of Stirling Highway and Canning Highway is already complex, with 11 competing movements from freight, general traffic, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists. Due to land constraints, the intersection cannot be widened, so the only way to improve traffic flow is to reduce the number of conflicting movements.

To prioritise traffic moving over the Stirling Bridge, general east-west movements on Canning Highway and the right turn from Stirling Highway northbound to Canning Highway eastbound are being temporarily removed. Buses will continue to operate east-west, using new bus-only lanes in each direction to maintain public transport reliability. Remaining road space will be reallocated to cater for increased left and right turn volumes onto Stirling Highway.

Alternative routes are available for general traffic, and Main Roads will continue to monitor and adjust signal timings in the area to optimise flow.

We are proposing significant modifications to the road layout in this location, including the installation of red asphalt and line marking for bus lanes, and the repositioning of traffic islands and traffic signal poles. Given these are physical modifications, and only a single approach lane can be accommodated east-west through the intersection, it will not be possible to re-open Canning Highway east-west to general traffic outside of peak times, or at night.

We are working with emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) to undertake scenario planning for incidents or accidents on Stirling Highway. Planning may include placing towing (including heavy vehicle) services north and south of Stirling Bridge.

A temporary detour has been operating for pedestrians and cyclists for several months, via existing footpaths and Stirling Bridge. To improve safety, an additional footpath is being installed behind the bus stop at the Canning Highway and East Street intersection. 

We will continue to liaise with WestCycle and Department of Transport (Urban Mobility) to identify further opportunities to maximise safety.

The project is working hard to engage with local businesses to ensure the impacts of the closure can be mitigated as far as possible. The team has made contact with over 1,200 businesses to-date.

Engagement is also ongoing with the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Corporation and the LGAs to ensure Fremantle remains accessible at all times and that locals and visitors can navigate the changes.

Compensation claims will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with established practice.

The closure had previously been earmarked for the end of 2025. A short delay to early 2026 avoids any disruption to road users, businesses and visitors to Fremantle during the busy Christmas period. The change is unlikely to have a material impact on the overall project timetable, and reflects business feedback.

These are temporary measures to improve traffic flow by prioritising southbound traffic once the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closes and traffic redistributes to Stirling Highway. The number of vehicles using both turns is relatively low compared to the higher volumes travelling north and south on Stirling Highway. By removing these turning movements, we reduce the number of competing traffic phases at the intersections, helping to keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible over the Stirling Bridge and minimising delays across the wider road network.

Once the new bridge opens, a green arrow will be installed for the northbound right turn into Marmion Street to improve safety for turning vehicles. Additionally, pedestrian Walk/Don’t Walk lanterns will be installed on all crossings at this intersection prior to the bridge closure, providing another permanent safety improvement for the community.

Once the new bridge opens, the right turn at Stirling Highway / Canning Highway northbound will be returned to its original configuration.

Modifications to restrict movements at intersections are temporary; these will be removed after the closure. However, some intersection improvements such as the installation of green arrows for right-turns, pedestrian Walk/Don’t Walk lanterns, and CCTV cameras will be retained permanently. This will provide legacy safety benefits for the community and an improved ability for Main Roads’ Road Network Operations Centre to monitor the operation of the road network.

This is one of many considerations underway. State and Local Government agencies are working together to look at ways to reduce demand on the road network during the closure, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods.

Key considerations include:

• Local bus routes and train service frequency.
• Parking assessments at Fremantle and North Fremantle Train Stations.
• Working with community and schools to develop active transport plans.
• Determining behaviour change opportunities.
• Working with freight industry to determine opportunities outside of peak period operations.

More information about these initiatives will be shared with the community in coming months.

Fremantle Ports is working with the freight industry to determine opportunities outside peak period operations. Importantly, freight accounts for 15% of traffic using Stirling Bridge, so it is critical for all road users to consider alternatives.

Main Roads and the Fremantle Bridges Alliance have both engaged extensively with local stakeholders and the community for the duration of this project.

In relation to the planned closure, the team has:

• Door knocked over 1,200 local businesses
• Met with local schools in the broader Fremantle area, including the western suburbs
• Hosted meetings with residents’ groups
• Hosted workshops with Local Government and the freight industry
• Worked closely with other State Government departments and agencies

Feedback from all parties has been carefully considered and incorporated into our closure planning wherever possible. Engagement and awareness raising will continue through to the end of the year.