Big weekend traffic headaches are coming to Perth’s Kwinana Freeway—and this isn’t just a minor inconvenience. If you’re planning to drive northbound near South Lake anytime soon, here’s what you need to know. Massive lane closures are set to disrupt commuters starting this Friday night, stretching all the way through the long weekend. And this is the part most people miss: the delays aren’t just about a few extra minutes. We’re talking about full-scale road restrictions for critical rail upgrades.
Main Roads WA has officially announced that lanes on the Kwinana Freeway will be shut down between the Berrigan Drive off-ramp and the Roe Highway on-ramp. This isn’t random chaos—it’s part of a planned construction project to build new track maintenance facilities. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the work is essential for improving rail infrastructure, drivers are left scrambling to adjust their routes.
The closures start at 7 PM on Friday, February 20, and won’t reopen until 6 AM on Monday, February 23. If you think that’s bad, brace yourself—the pain isn’t over. Come Labour Day long weekend (March 1-3), the same stretch will be hit again from 7 PM Sunday to 5 AM Tuesday. Detours are likely, speed limits will drop, and delays are all but guaranteed. Imagine adding 20 minutes to your commute… or worse, sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic under the weekend sun.
Now, ask yourself: Is closing a major freeway for multiple nights the only way to get this work done? Or could these projects be timed to cause less disruption? Let’s debate it—drop your thoughts below. Whether you’re furious or understanding, one thing’s clear: planning ahead is your best bet to avoid the gridlock. Have you seen these closures on your usual route? Share your experience in the comments!