Perth Festival Kickoff and CBD Road Closures: Friday Commute Guide

Morning Traffic and Major Road Closures

Commuters heading into the Perth CBD this Friday, February 6, should prepare for significant diversions and increased travel times. A major closure is currently in place at the intersection of William Street and Wellington Street, affecting central city flow throughout the day. This disruption is expected to cause bottlenecks near the Perth Busport and surrounding city blocks as the morning peak begins. Motorists are advised to utilize the Graham Farmer Freeway where possible to bypass the city core.

• Newcastle Street: Ongoing roadworks between Charles and William Streets continue to restrict lanes, with closures remaining in effect until February 9.
• Hackett Drive, Crawley: Road closures near the University of Western Australia are active and will remain in place until mid-month for essential infrastructure upgrades.
• Telethon Avenue: Long-term precinct developments have closed this route to all through traffic until later this year.

Public Transport Alerts and Service Disruptions

Transperth has issued several alerts for Friday commuters, particularly those relying on bus connections and the newly adjusted Fremantle Line schedule. New timetables for the Fremantle Line went into effect on February 1, so passengers should verify their departure times before heading to the platform. Key service disruptions today include:

• Routes 233 and 529: Expect localized delays and minor diversions due to ongoing utility works.
• Routes 374, 386, and 386X: Specific service disruptions are noted for today; commuters should check the Transperth app for real-time tracking of these northern corridor routes.
• Train Heat Restrictions: With a forecast high of 33°C, heat-related speed restrictions may be implemented on the Mandurah and Yanchep lines during the hottest part of the afternoon. This typically results in delays of approximately 10 minutes.

Perth Festival Kickoff and Event Traffic

The 2026 Perth Festival officially begins today, bringing a surge of visitors to the city and East Perth. Increased pedestrian activity and localized congestion are anticipated around the East Perth Power Station for the "Casa Musica" installations. Commuters should allow extra time when traveling through the eastern corridor of the CBD, especially during the afternoon transition into the weekend as festival-goers arrive.

Major Highway Flow

On the major arteries, traffic on the Kwinana Freeway northbound is following typical heavy patterns through Cockburn and the Narrows Bridge. On the Mitchell Freeway, southbound commuters from Joondalup should watch for slow-moving traffic at the Hodges Drive and Reid Highway interchanges. Additionally, speed restrictions remain active on Tonkin Highway near the Thomas Road intersection as part of the ongoing highway extension project.