Heavy Traffic Expected Near Optus Stadium for Eagles Clash; CBD Closures Continue

AFL Gameday at Optus Stadium Impacts Burswood Traffic

Perth commuters and sports fans should prepare for significant congestion in the Burswood and East Perth precincts today, Saturday, April 4, 2026. The West Coast Eagles are set to host the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium, with a high-capacity crowd expected to flood the area. Major thoroughfares, including the Graham Farmer Freeway and Great Eastern Highway, will likely see heavy volumes starting from midday through to the late evening.

In addition to the football, Crown Theatre is hosting the high-energy production Ballroom Blitz tonight, which will further increase vehicle movements around the Great Eastern Highway and Victoria Park drive entry points. Local authorities strongly advise attendees to utilize public transport, as event-specific buses and trains are included in AFL match tickets. If you must drive, expect delays on all approach roads and consider alternative routes through the CBD to avoid the Burswood bottleneck.

Central Perth and East Perth Roadworks

Motorists navigating the inner city must contend with several active road closures and infrastructure projects. A critical closure remains in place on Hale Street, between Waterloo Crescent and Nelson Crescent. This stretch is completely closed to facilitate the construction of a new school, and the restriction is expected to remain in place through the end of the weekend. This is particularly relevant for those trying to access the eastern end of the city near the WACA Ground.

In the CBD, Telethon Avenue remains closed 24/7 between Milligan Street and Wellington Street. This long-term closure is part of the ongoing asset installation and road layout reinstatement project in the Citylink precinct. Furthermore, anti-corrosion works on the rail bridge over Sutherland Street mean that southbound lanes between Roe Street and Market Street are restricted, which may cause minor queuing during peak Saturday shopping hours.

South-Eastern Corridor and Regional Alerts

Residents in the south-eastern suburbs should be aware of significant detours in the Byford area. Hopkinson Road is currently closed north of Charolais Court to Jersey Road. This closure is essential for the Water Corporation to complete service relocation works associated with the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade. Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted detours via Thomas Road to avoid the worksite.

Transperth Rail and Bus Update

Transperth reports that rail services, including the recently integrated Ellenbrook Line, are largely operating on schedule today following technical glitches earlier in the week. However, passengers should remain vigilant as some residual delays may persist on the Thornlie-Cockburn Line due to ongoing system testing. Commuters are also reminded to plan ahead for tomorrow, Sunday, April 5, when the Yanchep Line will undergo a full day closure between Perth and Whitfords for scheduled track maintenance. Replacement buses will be operational, but significantly longer journey times should be expected for Sunday travel.