Temporary diversions allow overpass construction on Frenchman Bay Road and South Coast Highway for Ring Road

Drivers using South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road will have noticed changes to the road conditions due to the construction of the Albany Ring Road. The temporary diversions are in place on South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road to allow construction teams to build the overpasses. A spokesperson for Main Roads said a minor road realignment was now in place at South Coast Highway to allow a section of the highway to be excavated to construct the new bridge. Upon completion, South Coast Highway will pass over the Albany Ring Road in this location. Earthworks are also making good progress at the Hanrahan Road / Frenchman Bay Road interchange site. Construction of footings for the bridge is well underway and will be followed by columns, piers and Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) walls. In this location, a new bridge will connect Hanrahan Road and Frenchman Bay Road, passing over the Albany Ring Road and the existing freight rail line. A temporary road layout is in place here to deviate vehicles around the construction site. Main Roads is encouraging people to drive with care and be aware of the change in conditions. These works form part of the third phase of construction for the Ring Road project. Stages two and three, which have received $175 million in Federal and State funding, will complete a project designed to take heavy vehicles off residential roads and provide a direct freight route to Albany port. Construction of the third and final phase, linking South Coast Highway and Princess Royal Drive, started in March 2022. It will include a new interchange allowing access between George Street and South Coast Highway, a bridge linking Hanrahan Road and Frenchman Bay Road, and new roundabouts to the north and south of the interchange. In a statement, Main Roads said The Albany Ring Road project was making good progress. Collectively (including the completed interchange at Albany Highway and Menang Drive), the project is more than 50 per cent complete and remains on track to open in the first half of 2024. Main Roads acting director Great Southern Region Brad Lenton said he expected the temporary detours would be in place for some time but confirmed the works continued on schedule. “People should keep in mind they can always look on the Main Roads’ website for updates,” he said. “Just be aware there will be minor delays while temporary diversions are in place.” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the Ring Road was the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the region. “When complete, the Albany Ring Road will take heavy vehicles away from the town centre, better support local businesses and improve commute times through the city,” she said. “It will provide certainty for Albany Port users and open up new economic opportunities to the north and west of the city, while also taking heavy vehicles out of residential areas and away from the centre of town.”