Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are pleased to update members on two significant developments that will shape Fremantle's freight landscape over the coming years.

Fremantle Rail Interchange – Construction Underway

DP World Fremantle officially broke ground yesterday on the $18 million Fremantle Rail Interchange, a long-awaited project that will deliver a direct rail link between the DP World Fremantle Terminal and the North Quay Rail Terminal. Once completed, the Interchange will deliver major benefits for Western Australia's freight sector, including:

• Over 15,000 fewer truck movements per year
• An increase in rail mode share from 22% to 33%
• Improved productivity, sustainability, and cost-efficiency for importers and exporters

Government, industry, and community leaders, including WA Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, attended the ceremony, reinforcing the State's commitment to modernising and decarbonising supply chain infrastructure. The timing of this investment is critical, particularly as Fremantle prepares for significant road network disruption.
 

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Fremantle Traffic Bridge Closure – 1 February 2026

The State Government has confirmed that the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close on 1 February 2026 for up to 12 months to allow completion of the new replacement bridge. This closure will coincide with peak port activity and is expected to place substantial pressure on the surrounding freight corridors, particularly Stirling Highway and East Fremantle approaches.To help manage impacts, the Government has announced a suite of mitigation measures, including:

• Additional train and bus services
• A South Terrace free-travel zone and expanded free parking at Fremantle Station
• Upgrades to 15 key intersections to improve traffic flow
• Installation of real-time traffic monitoring technology
• Incident response teams permanently positioned along the corridor
• Release of the new Live Traffic WA app to assist road users during the closure

While these initiatives are welcome, truck congestion across the port precinct is still expected to intensify significantly, and freight operators should begin reviewing transport routes, delivery windows, and alternative modes, including rail, well ahead of the closure date.
 

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Why This Matters for Freight

The Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure represents one of the most significant infrastructure impacts on port logistics in decades. At the same time, the Fremantle Rail Interchange presents an opportunity to shift more containers to rail, easing road congestion and improving supply chain resilience.

FTA and APSA will continue to advocate for freight-specific solutions and provide members with timely updates as the closure approaches .