Albany Ring Road set to open mid-2024 and construction on $37 million Menang Road flyover to start late 2024

The $250 million Albany Ring Road is on track for completion by mid-2024 with the construction of the Menang Road flyover to follow later this year, as announced by Premier Roger Cook in Albany on Monday. In town for the State Government’s Community Cabinet, Mr Cook, Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti, and Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens visited the ring road construction site on February 5. The road should open in stages over the coming months, beginning with the section between the Albany Highway interchange and the South Coast Highway bridge in March. At a current cost of $37 million, the Chester Pass Road flyover should begin towards the end of 2024, providing free-flowing access from Chester Pass Road to the Albany Port once completed. The existing intersection of Chester Pass Road and Menang Road has a daily traffic volume of at least 6000 vehicles, more than half of which are heavy vehicles. The Premier said the “strategically important” Albany Ring Road will underpin the Port of Albany’s long-term economic strength and support local jobs. Mr Cook said the new interchange will optimise the benefits of the Ring Road project, improving freight efficiency and export competitiveness from the Great Southern. “This is an important piece of work, which will allow for 11 kilometres of free-flowing highway and will allow for the separation of heavy haulage vehicles and local traffic, and just allow for a seamless flow of traffic into and out of the city, connecting all our main highways with the port,” he said. Ms Saffioti said the completion of the ring road will improve the liveability and amenity of the Albany community, as well as support the economic development of the town by ensuring the city has a dedicated freight route. “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,” she said. Ms Saffioti said the completion will ensure heavy haulage vehicles will be able to bypass the Chester Pass Road roundabout, which she said is one of the “worst in the State”, and the flyover will be the final link in the Albany Ring Road project. “It was a priority for our government to get it done, and with advocacy from Rebecca Stephens, to make sure we get a project that the community is proud of,” she said. Ms Stephens said the Ring Road project has been a “gamechanger” for Great Southern suppliers and contractors, investing around $50m in local businesses, including $6m in Aboriginal businesses and suppliers. “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,” she said.