The federal and Western Australian governments have confirmed the new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will open on 1 November 2026, months earlier than originally planned.
A community celebration will be held on the opening day to mark the milestone.
Attendees will be able to walk across the new bridge before it officially opens to traffic later that evening.
The old Fremantle Traffic Bridge closed on 1 February 2026.
At the time, the closure was expected to last up to 12 months, with the new bridge not due to open until the first half of 2027.
Despite a challenging construction environment, an innovative fast-tracked construction method has allowed the project to be delivered early.
WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Major Infrastructure Rita Saffioti said the achievement reflected strong teamwork on the project.
“Delivering the new bridge months ahead of schedule is a massive achievement, thanks to the strong collaboration and innovation of the project team,” she said.
Ahead of the opening, crews are continuing to complete the road surface across the new bridge, with terracing and landscaping works progressing on the southern side near Beach Street.
Opening the new gateway to Fremantle in November is expected to improve connectivity to the port city ahead of summer and the Christmas trading period, supporting local businesses and visitation.
Finishing works will continue on the bridge and surrounding areas after the opening, with the bridge’s lighting to be finalised during that period.
The lighting program, funded by the WA government, is an architectural installation that will celebrate stories of the crossing dating back thousands of years, recognising the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of the area.
Community members will get a preview of the lighting when testing begins in mid-September.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the bridge would serve the community well into the future.
“The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will deliver benefits for the community for decades to come,” she said.
Federal Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson described the project as a defining moment for the city, noting it is the largest and most significant infrastructure project delivered in Fremantle for decades and represents a generational investment in the city’s future.
He said the design of the bridge reflects the character and setting of the port city while meeting 21st-century functional needs.
Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk welcomed the early opening, stating that the residents, businesses and the wider community had shown patience throughout the construction period. She said locals would soon have the chance to be among the first to walk across the new structure.
Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley said the bridge represented a major investment that would serve local families, businesses and visitors for decades to come, and thanked the community for its patience during construction.
Following the bridge’s opening, temporary road network changes introduced before the closure will be removed.
This includes access arrangements via Canning Highway and other measures that helped keep traffic flowing during the closure period.
Further details about the community celebration will be released in the coming weeks.
People interested in attending are encouraged to register via the Main Roads Western Australia website, under the Swan River Crossings project page.
