A collection of major freight and transport industry groups have united to warn the Western Australian transport sector of significant congestion impacts ahead of the closure of a key bridge next month.
From February 1, 2026, the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close, with the collection of bodies outlining practical, industry-led solutions to keep traffic and essential goods moving to and from the Port of Fremantle.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and the Western Roads Federation (WRF) have convened an industry group comprising representatives from container terminals, road and rail transport operators, empty container parks, exporters, shipping lines and freight forwarders to discuss the implications of the closure, which will redirect a large volume of road freight traffic onto the Stirling Bridge and surrounding road network.
The group says the Fremantle Bridge closure will place increased pressure on already constrained infrastructure, particularly during peak commuter periods, affecting not only freight movements but the broader community.
FTA head of business operations John Park was nominated to chair the group.
"It is up to industry to find solutions that lessen likely impacts of congestion on freight costs and delays," he says.
"Big infrastructure changes like this don't just impact trucks, they impact commuters, local businesses and supply chains. Without sensible planning, congestion will increase across the network."
The group has urged the WA government not to restrict truck access to the Port to ease traffic congestion during daily peak periods.
"That would simply push congestion to other hours of the day and cause an unacceptable spike to freight operating costs," he says.
"What we have heard loud and clear from the government is that they expect the freight industry to find solutions themselves, including more night and weekend operations, as well as further utilisation of rail capacity."
Industry participants discussed a range of practical measures aimed at reducing truck movements during peak periods, including greater use of night-time and off-peak deliveries, increased use of rail when capacity is available, improved coordination between terminals and operators.
Industry also reiterated its continued advocacy for Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs) to and from the port with loaded 40'/40' container configurations. While the use of these vehicles hasn't been approved by the government, the group says they could significantly reduce the number of individual truck trips by carrying the same freight in fewer vehicle movements.
They say fewer truck trips would mean less congestion, lower emissions and improved road safety during a period of heightened traffic pressure.
"Rightly, the government is proud of the percentage of container freight moved to/from the Port of Fremantle by rail, it is the largest percentage in Australia. Additionally, industry is committed to working with the major rail operator to take up additional train capacity when it comes on stream," Park says.
"However, HPFV access could be designed to not impact on the rail market share, yet deliver significant productivity, safety and environmental performance wins by reducing truck traffic by at least 25 per cent or more.
"That's an outcome that shouldn't be ignored by government when we are all faced with pressures to operate efficiently during the period of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure."
FTA, CTAA and WRF emphasised that freight efficiency underpins Western Australia's economy, supporting exporters, producers, importers and consumers. They say congestion, delays and uncertainty ultimately increase costs and reduce reliability across the supply chain.
"Industry is not waiting for problems to emerge," Park says.
"We are united, prepared to work together and offering solutions that can help manage the impacts of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure for the benefit of the entire community."