Business case wait on Ring Road

The Albany Ring Road has not been listed as a priority by Infrastructure Australia, with a business case yet to be submitted by the State Government.

Infrastructure Australia released the 2018 Infrastructure Priority List on Tuesday, detailing a $55 billion pipeline of infrastructure investments which included the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. The Albany Ring Road was not in the report.

The project, which will bypass the Chester Pass roundabout and link the existing major arterial roads to the Albany Port, is expected to cost about $172 million.

During the State election, the Labor party committed $35 million to fund stage one and two of the project, provided the Federal Government contributes the remaining $137 million.

The Albany Advertiser understands the Albany Ring Road and Bunbury Ring Road business case will be submitted next month.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government was “strongly committed” to the project with Main Roads having already made a funding submission.

“I am advised that the development of the stage two business case is well advanced and will be submitted to the Commonwealth very soon,” she said. “Infrastructure Australia’s advice only forms part of the consideration that the Federal Minister would make to fund the project, and I note the previous Federal Minister indicated strong support for progressing it.”

Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said an assessment of the project required a business case.