Joint Media Statement - MAJOR MILESTONES REACHED ON ALBANY RING ROAD PROJECT

The Albany Ring Road project has reached two important milestones, with the completed section of road between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway opening to traffic tomorrow and the new bridge connecting Hanrahan Road to Frenchman Bay Road opening on Thursday March 28.

Opening the section of the Ring Road between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway will improve access to and from Denmark for residents of Albany's northern and eastern suburbs.

The opening of the Frenchman Bay Road bridge over the rail line will address one of Albany's most congested intersections and improve access between Little Grove and the CBD, and enable the final pavement and sealing works on the main Ring Road alignment to be undertaken over the coming months.

The Albany Ring Road project is the biggest road project ever undertaken in the Great Southern region – delivering a free-flowing, 11-kilometre 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 entire Albany Ring Road is funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments and remains on track to open before the middle of the year. 

The Western Australian Government also announced in February it would fund works on a $37 million flyover at the intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road, with construction scheduled to commence later this year.

The new flyover will further maximise the efficiency of the Albany Ring Road route by providing free-flowing access from Chester Pass Road all the way to the port. 

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

"The Albany Ring Road is a critical project for Western Australia's Great Southern Region, safeguarding the long-term viability and efficiency of the Port of Albany by providing free‑flowing road access.

"This will ultimately improve competitiveness of exports from the region.

"The opening of the section to South Coast Highway and the new Frenchman Bay Road Bridge is an important double milestone as we look to get the Ring Road fully operational by the end of autumn."

Quotes attributable to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Main Roads and their contractor Decmil have made outstanding progress on the Albany Ring Road project during the summer months. The new interchanges are substantively complete and road pavement works are on the final stretch.

"This is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the Great Southern region and will provide a safe, efficient, free-flowing route for heavy vehicles accessing the port and remove those same vehicles from the local roads they're currently using.

"Removing heavy vehicles from the existing local network will improve safety on a number of key roads including Chester Pass Road, Albany Highway and South Coast Highway and enhance amenity for local residents and visitors alike." 

Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia Varun Ghosh:

"Opening the section of the ring road between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway is an important step in significantly improving the road network and providing more efficient access to Denmark.

"The opening of the Frenchman Bay Road bridge and connecting roundabouts significantly improves the local road network.

"It will also provide safer and more efficient access for residents and visitors to the Torndirrup Peninsula, which is home to some of Albany's most spectacular tourist destinations."

 Quotes attributable to State Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens:

"It's brilliant to see this critical project reaching the final stages and for the community to start seeing the significant benefits.

"The partial opening of the Ring Road will reduce vehicle movements on local roads, while the new Frenchman Bay Road bridge will help to address one of Albany's most congested intersections.

"Over the coming months final sealing and pavement works will be undertaken, with the entire Ring Road on track to open before the middle of the year."

 26 MARCH 2024