Stadium Event Closures and Multi-Line Rail Disruptions Expected Today

Stadium Event Closures and Multi-Line Rail Disruptions Expected Today

Commuters and footy fans heading into the city today, Sunday, 22 March 2026, should prepare for significant disruptions across both the road and rail networks. With a major AFL fixture at Optus Stadium and extensive maintenance work on the Transperth rail lines, planning ahead is essential to avoid delays and frustration.

AFL Match Day Impact at Optus Stadium

The West Coast Eagles host North Melbourne at Optus Stadium today, and as with all major stadium events, local road closures are in place. Victoria Park Drive and access routes within the Burswood Peninsula are restricted to authorized vehicles and public transport only. Traffic is expected to be heavy on the Graham Farmer Freeway and Great Eastern Highway leading up to the bounce. Motorists not attending the game are advised to avoid the Burswood area and seek alternative routes through the CBD or via the Causeway.

Significant Rail Disruptions

Transperth has notified passengers of major maintenance work impacting several lines. Commuters on the Airport, Armadale, Ellenbrook, Midland, and Thornlie-Cockburn lines will experience disruptions, particularly around Claisebrook and McIver stations. Furthermore, nightly closures are scheduled to commence this evening on the Airport and Fremantle lines. If you are relying on the rail network to reach the stadium or the city, please consult the live Transperth Disruptions Calendar as replacement bus services may be in operation, significantly increasing transit times.

City Roadworks and CBD Closures

Within the City of Perth, the "Cool Roads Program" is active in East Perth today, resulting in various road closures from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. In the heart of the CBD, Queen Street remains closed to through traffic between Wellington Street and Murray Street for infrastructure upgrades. In the northern corridor, the Stephenson Avenue extension project continues to impact traffic flow in Stirling. Expect partial lane closures and detours between Flax Way and Cedric Street, with reduced speed limits in place for the safety of work crews.

Public Transport and Parking Alerts

• Bus Routes 40, 41, 42, 43, 270, and 935 are subject to diversions and stop cancellations due to road resurfacing in East Perth.
• Commuters using the northern rail corridor should be aware of ongoing car park disruptions at Clarkson Station, which may limit parking availability.
• Main Roads WA has also flagged minor utility works on the Tonkin Highway near Rowley Road and maintenance on the Leach Highway in Melville, though these are expected to have minimal impact on Sunday traffic volumes.