# Loftus Street

Loftus Street is a major north–south road in the Perth suburbs of Subiaco and West Perth, connecting London Street with Thomas Street. These roads, together with Winthrop Avenue further south, form State Route 61, which links Crawley with West Perth and Yokine.

## History

Loftus Street appears on maps as far back as 1894. In 1926, it was widened to accommodate the increasing number of motorised vehicles.
The section between Vincent Street and Anzac Road was reconstructed in 1927. This route, along with Winthrop Avenue to the south, constitutes State Route 61, facilitating links with key areas such as Subiaco and Crawley. The street's presence dates back to at least 1894, as evidenced by historical maps. In response to the growing number of motor vehicles, Loftus Street underwent widening in 1926. Further reconstruction occurred in 1927 between Vincent Street and Anzac Road to accommodate increasing traffic demands.In Sydney, New South Wales, Loftus Street holds historical significance as well. The area, once part of the marshy outlet of the Tank Stream, was reclaimed in the late 1840s, enabling development. The street was originally known as Castlereagh Street North until 1881, when it was renamed Loftus Street in honor of NSW Governor Baron Loftus. Notably, the Jessie Street Gardens, located on Loftus Street at Circular Quay, commemorate feminist and peace campaigner Jessie Street.

## Route description

Loftus Street's southern terminus is a traffic light controlled intersection with Thomas Street and Railway Parade in West Leederville. The road proceeds north-easterly as a six lane dual carriageway. After 200 metres (660 ft) there is an overpass bridging the Mitchell Freeway, with intersections at each end of the bridge. These are with Graham Farmer Freeway interchange ramps to the east, and Cambridge Street and Leederville Parade to the west. Following its intersection with Vincent Street after 600 metres (2,000 ft), the road turns north with only four lanes It remains as a dual carriage for 300 metres (980 ft), before narrowing to a single carriageway road. Loftus Street reaches its northern terminus 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) further north, at its intersection with London Street and Scarborough Beach Road.
There are various community facilities at the corner of Vincent and Loftus Streets, including the City of Vincent's Administration & Civic Centre and public library, the Loftus Recreation Centre, and the Loftus Community Centre.

## Major intersections

All intersections listed are controlled by traffic lights unless otherwise indicated.
| LGA | Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Vincent | North Perth-Mount Hawthorn boundary | 0 | 0.0 | Scarborough Beach Road – Scarborough, Innaloo, North Perth | Northern terminus. Continues as London Street (State Route 61) northbound. |
| Vincent | North Perth–Leederville boundary | 0.9 | 0.56 | Bourke Street | |
| Vincent | North Perth–West Perth-Leederville tripoint | 1.4 | 0.87 | Vincent Street (State Route 72) – City Beach, Wembley, Mount Lawley | |
| Vincent | West Perth-Leederville boundary | 1.7 | 1.1 | Newcastle Street | No right turn permitted from Loftus south to Newcastle west |
| Vincent-Perth boundary | West Perth-West Leederville-Leederville tripoint | 1.9 | 1.2 | Leederville Parade westbound / Graham Farmer Freeway eastbound (Tourist Drive 8) – East Perth, Welshpool, Kalamunda | Freeway eastbound entrance only. |
| Vincent-Perth boundary | West Perth-West Leederville-Leederville tripoint | 2.1 | 1.3 | Cambridge Street westbound / Graham Farmer Freeway eastbound (Tourist Drive 8) – City Beach, Floreat, Wembley | Freeway westbound exit only. |
| Cambridge–Perth–Subiaco tripoint | West Leederville–West Perth–Subiaco tripoint | 2.3 | 1.4 | Railway Parade westbound / Railway Street eastbound – Subiaco, Wembley, Northbridge | Southern terminus. Continues as Thomas Street (State Route 61) southbound. |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Incomplete accessNote: Intersections with minor local roads are not shown ||||||