PERTH, 24 February 2026 – Emergency services are currently on the scene of a serious crash on the Mitchell Freeway, causing significant disruption to the Tuesday morning commute. The incident has forced the closure of all southbound lanes in a key section of Perth’s northern suburbs, with authorities warning of “massive” delays as peak hour traffic builds.
Current Traffic Alerts and Closures
As of 8:30 am today, Main Roads WA has confirmed a full closure of the Mitchell Freeway southbound from Whitfords Avenue in Kingsley to Warwick Road. First responders, including police and paramedics, are currently managing the scene.
This follows a series of incidents on the freeway over the past week, including a rollover near Ocean Reef Road in Edgewater five days ago and a crash in Wembley that reduced traffic to a single lane last Friday. Motorists are strongly advised to seek alternative routes, such as Wanneroo Road or Marmion Avenue, to avoid the current gridlock.
Recent Incident Summary
| Date | Location | Incident Type | Status/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 2026 | Southbound: Whitfords Ave to Warwick Rd | Serious Crash | Road Closed; Emergency services on site |
| 20 February 2026 | Wembley (Mitchell Fwy) | Vehicle Crash | Reduced to single lane; Cleared |
| 19 February 2026 | Southbound: Before Ocean Reef Rd | Rollover | Significant peak hour delays; Cleared |
| 17 February 2026 | Whitfords Ave Overpass | Vehicle Crash | Eastbound lanes closed; Cleared |
Safety Concerns and Public Response
The frequency of incidents in the northern corridor has sparked renewed calls for safety investigations. Public sentiment on social media platforms like Reddit indicates growing frustration with specific intersections and merge points along the Mitchell Freeway extension. Recent discussions have highlighted a “tragedy in Perth’s north” earlier this month, which has led to community demands for the release of government safety audits regarding the freeway’s design.
Main Roads WA continues to monitor the network via the Travel Map, noting that while some sections of the freeway have recently undergone maintenance—including night works at Whitfords Avenue—the high volume of traffic remains a challenge for incident management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of the Mitchell Freeway is currently closed?
As of Tuesday morning, 24 February 2026, the southbound lanes are closed between Whitfords Avenue and Warwick Road due to a serious crash.
What are the best alternative routes?
Motorists travelling south from Joondalup or Clarkson should consider diverting to Wanneroo Road or Marmion Avenue. Expect heavy congestion on these arterial roads as traffic is diverted away from the freeway.
Has anyone been injured in today’s crash?
Police and ambulance services are on-site, but official details regarding the number of people involved or the severity of injuries have not yet been released by WA Police.
Where can I get live updates on Perth traffic?
For real-time information, motorists should check the Main Roads WA Travel Map or follow the @Perth_Traffic account on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest alerts and road reopening times.