- Completion
of the Albany Ring Road expected before middle of the year, delivering on a key
Labor Government election commitment
- Section
between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway to open in March
- Ring Road
will significantly ease traffic congestion and improve road safety in Albany
- Works
on a $37 million flyover at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road to commence later
this year
Construction
of the Albany Ring Road has entered its final stages, with the project on track
to be completed and open to road users before the middle of the year.
The
completion of the project represents the delivery of a major Labor Government
election commitment, that will streamline traffic in the Great Southern.
With new
bridges now in place at the South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road
interchanges, works are currently focused on construction of the road surface
between Lancaster Road and Princess Royal Drive, along with installation of
safety barriers, signs and road markings.
Over the
coming months, completed sections of the Ring Road are expected to open
incrementally and be connected to the existing road network. This will begin
with the section between the Albany Highway interchange and the South Coast
Highway bridge in March.
Upon
completion, the project will establish an 11-kilometre free-flowing connection between Albany Highway
and Princess Royal Drive, including three grade-separated interchanges at
Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road.
The new road will divert heavy vehicles around
Albany improving freight efficiency, reducing congestion and improving safety on
existing local routes including Albany Highway.
The Cook
Government has also confirmed construction of a new $37 million flyover at the
intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road will begin in late 2024.
The new
flyover will maximise the efficiency of the Albany Ring Road route by providing
free flowing access from Chester Pass Road all the way to the port.
The
existing intersection has a combined daily traffic volume exceeding 6,000
vehicles, of which 54 per cent are heavy vehicles.
The new
flyover will make the westbound turning movement from Chester Pass Road to the
Albany Ring Road (Menang Drive) free-flowing, removing the need for trucks to
queue in the turning lane before making a right turn across oncoming northbound
traffic.
Concept
designs and initial site investigations for the new flyover are well-progressed
and will continue during the first half of the year. Construction is expected
to begin in late 2024, with the new interchange to open in 2025.
The
Albany Ring Road project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western
Australian Governments.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My
Government is delivering the infrastructure our regions need to support
communities for the future.
"The
Albany Ring Road is a strategically important project, underpinning the
long-term economic strength of the Port of Albany and supporting local jobs.
"The new
interchange at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road will allow the full benefits
of the Ring Road project to be realised, improving freight efficiency and the
competitiveness of our exports from the Great Southern."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita
Saffioti:
"The
Albany Ring Road is the largest infrastructure project ever delivered in the
Great Southern region and will provide a safe, efficient, free-flowing route
for heavy vehicles accessing the port.
"Importantly,
the project will also remove heavy vehicles from the existing network,
improving safety on Chester Pass Road, Albany Highway and South Coast Highway,
and enhancing amenity for local residents and visitors alike.
"The
additional interchange at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road will allow the
final link in the Albany Ring Road connection to be delivered, complementing
the other new interchanges at Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Frenchman
Bay Road."
Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"As well as
providing a critical road safety and freight efficiency upgrade, the Albany
Ring Road has been a gamechanger for contractors and suppliers in the Great Southern region.
"The
project has invested approximately $50 million in local businesses, supporting
jobs and further investment.
"Approximately
$6 million has been spent on Aboriginal businesses and suppliers, while 10.5 per cent of the construction workforce hours have been completed by local Aboriginal
people.
"The
State Government's commitment to deliver the additional flyover at Menang Drive
and Chester Pass Road will continue the pipeline of local investment and
support for our region."
