Nightly Rail Closures Set for Armadale and Thornlie Lines; Heavy Haulage Impacting Tonkin Highway

Commute Overview for Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Perth commuters can expect a relatively stable morning on the major freeway networks today; however, significant disruptions are scheduled to begin this evening on the rail network. With several METRONET projects reaching critical milestones, both drivers and public transport users should remain alert to localized changes in traffic flow and service availability. While the morning peak is expected to follow regular patterns, the transition to evening services will see significant changes for those heading to the southern suburbs.

Public Transport: Nightly Rail Closures

Transperth has issued a major alert for passengers on the Armadale and Thornlie-Cockburn lines. Starting tonight, Tuesday, 7 April, nightly closures will be in effect to allow for essential track maintenance and infrastructure upgrades associated with the Byford Rail Extension and the ongoing integration of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link.

• Armadale Line: Services will be cancelled nightly between Victoria Park and Byford from Tuesday, 7 April through to Thursday, 9 April. The final through-trains will depart Perth in the early evening, so passengers should verify their specific last-service times.
• Thornlie-Cockburn Line: Services will also be cancelled nightly between Victoria Park and Cockburn Central over the same three-night period.
• Replacement Buses: Train replacement bus routes will be operational during these closures. Commuters are advised that these buses may not align perfectly with regular timetabled services, and an additional 20 minutes should be factored into journey times.

Major Roadworks and Traffic Alerts

On the roads, the primary focus remains on the south-eastern corridor as the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade projects continue at a high intensity.

• Tonkin Highway (Byford and Mundijong): Construction activities, including essential haulage operations, are occurring day and night. Drivers on Thomas Road and South Western Highway should expect increased heavy vehicle movements and potential intermittent lane closures as fill material is moved across the site to support the new dual carriageway.
• Melville: Safety improvement works continue on Archibald Street between Winnacott Street and Harfoot Street. While the main speed cushions are in place, Main Roads WA crews are finalizing signage and pavement markings today. Motorists should expect minor delays and should watch for workers on the road shoulder.
• Gingin: Early-stage construction for the Weld Street Bridge replacement is now underway. While vehicle access is maintained, the footpaths on both sides of the bridge are closed. Pedestrians are directed to use the crossing near the weir.

Freeway and METRONET Updates

The Mitchell Freeway Southbound Smart Freeway system remains fully operational, offering improved flow through the northern corridor. However, commuters using the new Midland Station and Ellenbrook Line should be aware of ongoing finishing works. While these do not impact train frequencies, localized landscaping and shared path construction may cause minor diversions for those walking or cycling to the stations.

Advice for Commuters

Drivers are encouraged to maintain safe following distances, particularly in active work zones like the Tonkin Highway extension where heavy machinery is frequent. For those using the rail network this evening, please check the Transperth JourneyPlanner before 7:00 PM to ensure you catch the last available train before the nightly shutdowns commence.