Major Delays Expected Near Cottesloe and Northern Mitchell Freeway Today

Morning Traffic Overview

Perth commuters should prepare for a busy morning on the roads this Friday, March 6, 2026. Significant congestion is anticipated along the coast as a major public event begins, while ongoing infrastructure projects in the northern suburbs continue to alter traffic flow. Authorities recommend allowing an additional 15 to 20 minutes for travel during peak periods, particularly for those utilizing the Mitchell Freeway or heading toward the western suburbs.

Coastal Congestion: Sculpture by the Sea

The annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition officially opens today at Cottesloe Beach. As one of Perth’s most popular public art events, it is expected to draw thousands of visitors starting from early this morning. Commuters and residents should anticipate heavy traffic and parking shortages along Marine Parade and surrounding streets including Curtin Avenue and Eric Street. If you are not attending the event, it is highly advised to avoid the Cottesloe beachfront area and use Stirling Highway as an alternative north-south route to bypass the localized gridlock.

Mitchell Freeway and Northern Corridor Works

Main Roads WA has confirmed that new construction works are commencing this week on the Mitchell Freeway northbound. Key updates include:

• Neerabup Road Off-Ramp: Work has begun on a new direct left-turn lane from the Mitchell Freeway northbound to Neerabup Road. Expect the off-ramp to be reduced to a single lane, with speed restrictions in place.
• Cedric Street Shifts: In Stirling, Cedric Street eastbound traffic remains shifted between Ellen Stirling Boulevard and the freeway on-ramp. This is part of the ongoing Stephenson Avenue Extension project. Motorists heading to the freeway should merge into the left lane early to avoid last-minute lane changes.
• Telford Crescent Closure: This road remains closed between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm daily for Principal Shared Path construction. Local detours are in place via Talia Drive.

Public Transport and Special Events

Transperth has issued several alerts for Friday morning commuters. At Victoria Park Station, a lift disruption is scheduled for today, which may impact passengers with accessibility requirements. Additionally, while most rail lines are operating on a standard Friday timetable, commuters in the eastern suburbs should note increased traffic around Midvale. The UCI Track World Cup begins today at the Midvale SpeedDome, which will likely increase vehicle activity along Morrison Road and Lloyd Street throughout the day.

Commuter Advice

For those traveling from the southern suburbs, the Kwinana Freeway is experiencing standard heavy volumes through the Cockburn and Canning Bridge bottlenecks, but no major new incidents have been reported this morning. Commuters are encouraged to check the Transperth app for any last-minute service adjustments and to utilize the Smart Freeway gantries for real-time speed adjustments and lane availability updates.