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Albany Ring Road – the biggest road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Western Australia’s Great Southern region – is officially open.
The ring road has delivered a free-flowing, 11-kilometre connection between the original section of Menang Drive east of Albany Highway and Princess Royal Drive, including three grade-separated interchanges at Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Hanrahan Road.
The northern section of the ring road, between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway, as well as the new Frenchman Bay Road interchange, opened to traffic before Easter, resulting in an immediate improvement in traffic flow.
The final section between South Coast Highway and Hanrahan Road/Frenchman Bay Road will officially open to traffic tomorrow (Sunday, 19 May).
The new road will divert heavy vehicles around Albany, improving freight efficiency and underpinning the long-term economic viability of Albany Port.
It will also significantly improve traffic flow and safety on the existing road network by reducing heavy vehicles on Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Chester Pass Road.
There are currently hundreds of trucks moving to and from the port each day, which increases significantly during harvest. The new ring road will remove these trucks from the local road network.
Upon opening, the completed ring road will be known as Menang Drive, in recognition of the Menang Noongar people, the area’s Traditional Owners.
In addition to the project, significant improvements to the local cycling network have been made, including a new shared path on the Frenchman Bay Road bridge which will link the Torndirrup Peninsula with the existing network north of the freight rail line.
The project has invested approximately $54 million in Great Southern businesses, supporting local jobs and contracting opportunities.
$6.4 million has been spent on Aboriginal businesses and suppliers, while 10.5 per cent of the construction workforce hours have been completed by local First Nations people.
Other additional works to be carried out over the winter months include the installation of artworks on the abutments of each of the three bridges. The artworks have been developed by local artists and their concepts take inspiration from the spectacular local landscapes.
Meanwhile, the State Government has committed for a new flyover at the intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road.
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 $225 million project is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments, with the Australian Government contributing $173 million, including an additional $33 million funded in the 2024-25 Federal Budget.
Source: © Copyright, Commonwealth of Australia
A section of WA’s Albany Ring Road opens to traffic
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Albany Ring Road’s completed section between Albany and South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road bridge opens to traffic.
Albany Ring Road project on track to open before mid-2024
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The $37m Albany Ring Road project in WA has entered the final stage and will open to traffic users before mid-2024.
