Rail Shutdowns and Major Bridge Closures to Impact Thursday Morning Commute

Overview for Thursday, 5 February 2026

Commuters in Perth are advised to prepare for significant travel disruptions today. Major infrastructure projects and maintenance schedules are affecting both the rail network and primary road arteries. Key impacts include the ongoing total shutdown of a section of the Midland Line and the recent closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge, which is likely to cause congestion on alternative routes throughout the morning and evening peaks.

Public Transport Alerts

Transperth has confirmed several critical service changes for Thursday. Passengers should allow for additional travel time and consult the Transperth app before starting their journey.

• Midland Line: The significant shutdown between Bassendean and Midland remains in effect as part of the final works for the new Midland Station project. Train replacement bus services are operating between these stations. Trains continue to run between Bassendean and Perth, but commuters should expect higher-than-usual passenger volumes.
• Mandurah Line: Nightly closures continue between Perth Underground and Aubin Grove. While daytime services are unaffected, commuters traveling late in the evening should be aware that the final through-trains will depart early to accommodate maintenance crews.
• Bus Disruptions: Multiple bus routes are facing service disruptions or stop relocations today. Impacted services include major routes such as the 950, 998, and 999 CircleRoute, along with several local routes in the southern and eastern suburbs. Specific disruptions are noted for routes 38, 160, and 220 due to localized roadworks.

Roadworks and Traffic Updates

Main Roads WA has highlighted several areas where road closures and construction will impact traffic flow today. Motorists are urged to stay alert and follow all detours.

• Fremantle Traffic Bridge: The bridge remains closed for major structural works that commenced earlier this week. Traffic is being diverted to the Stirling Highway bridge, which is experiencing heavy congestion during peak hours.
• East Perth: Temporary road and lane closures continue on Waterloo Crescent, Horatio Street, and Nelson Crescent to facilitate construction for the new East Perth Primary School. These closures are expected to remain in place until the weekend.
• Tonkin Highway: Ongoing night-time roadworks between Dunreath Drive and Airport Drive are affecting southbound lanes. While the heaviest restrictions occur between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM, residual equipment or speed reductions may impact early morning airport travelers.
• Morrison Road: In the Midland area, the Morrison Road level crossing is closed in conjunction with the rail shutdown. Traffic management is in place to guide vehicles through alternative local streets.

Commuter Advice

To avoid the worst of the delays, drivers are encouraged to use the Mitchell and Kwinana Freeways' Smart Freeway features for real-time traffic flow information. Public transport users should use the JourneyPlanner tool to identify the most efficient replacement bus routes. For those in the southern suburbs, please exercise caution following recent incidents on the Kwinana Freeway near Baldivis and adhere to all posted speed limits.