Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure: Local council looks to block ‘rat runs’ amid impending traffic chaos

Motorists facing major traffic delays with the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge from next week could slow down further as the local council says speed limits could be reduced on heavily congested streets.

Fremantle Council says measures to prevent “rat runs” in residential areas could include reducing speed limits to 30km/h or 40km/h in affected areas.

The one-year closure of the bridge on Feb. 1 is expected to divert thousands of freight trucks and other vehicles to nearby streets. It is estimated that 24,000 vehicles use the bridge every day.

City of Fremantle chief executive Glen Dougall said: “Everyone is trying to minimize this inconvenience and keep the big picture in mind. So, when construction is finished, we will have a fantastic new bridge as the gateway to Fremantle.”

“We aim to combat rat smuggling by working with the state government to ensure the public can access their property and emergency services can get in and out as needed (but) 40km/h speed limits are not new to Fremantle.

“We found them in parts of the city centre, South Fremantle and all local roads in the suburb of Hilton.”

The council will need Main Roads approval to lower speed limits on an ongoing basis.

Mr Dougall said a lot of planning had been done but “we will soon find out whether the planning was correct or whether we need to do more”.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said on Saturday it was known that closing the bridge “will create congestion and lead to longer journey times for people traveling in and around the Fremantle area, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hours”.

“We are asking everyone to play their part in helping manage traffic impacts, and we are already seeing great cooperation and engagement from the community as the closure approaches,” he said.

He said measures were taken to minimize disruptions. It included improvements to 15 junctions, new technology for real-time traffic monitoring, more trains and buses, including school services, and a free transit zone along South Terrace.

“Main Roads, Department for Transport and Major Infrastructure and Fremantle Ports will continue to monitor traffic during the closure and may implement additional mitigation measures if they are to mitigate disruption,” he said.

A spokesman for Main Roads said plans had been put in place to minimize problems and freight operators were encouraged to “shift as much activity as possible out of peak periods and increase the volume of containers transported by rail to reduce pressure on the road network”.

Liberal transport spokesman Steve Martin said there were major concerns about the bridge closure.

“Local government representatives and the transport industry are telling us they are concerned that Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has not adequately planned for the closure of the bridge,” Mr Martin said.

“In late December the Minister threatened trucking operators with a curfew but backed down after a meeting with the industry.”

“The bridge is closing in a few days and locals have every right to be concerned.”