Ring road back on track

The Albany ring road is back on the State Government’s agenda, with $1 million in joint State and Federal funding announced this week for the next two stages of the long-awaited $125m project.

Picture by Laurie Benson: Menang Drive was opened by Albany MLA Peter Watson, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan, City of Albany Mayor Alison Goode, Ertech project manager Liam Brien and Main Roads WA Commissioner Menno Henneveld on Friday 27th of April 2007.

After a visit to WA last week with O’Connor MP Tony Crook, Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Labor Government would agree to cover half the $1m cost of planning stages two and three.

Soon after, the State Government announced it would contribute the other half, despite recent indications from Transport Minister Troy Buswell the ring road was not on the State’s agenda.

Mr Albanese said completion of the project would reduce heavy haulage traffic in town, deliver better driving conditions on Albany and South Coast Highways, improve freight movement to and from Albany Port, and provide better access to the Mirambeena Industrial Park.

Current estimates put the overall cost of all three stages at $125m, including planning costs.

Mr Buswell said planning would commence this year and would determine future State funding commitments.

Mr Albanese said further Federal funding for construction would be considered once planning was done and accurate costings were obtained.

It is not known when actual construction would begin.

Stage one of the ring road, Menang Road, was completed in 2007, linking Chester Pass Road with Albany Highway.

Stage two will link Lower Denmark Road and Hanrahan Road, and stage three will link Albany Highway with South Coast Highway and Lower Denmark Road.

Member for O’Connor Tony Crook said the ring road was an important infrastructure project for Albany and he was glad Mr Albanese had committed funding.

Albany MP Peter Watson said the State commitment was 8positive but strange given recent indications from Mr Buswell.

“It’s taken the Federal Labor Government to kick-start the State Government into looking at something that is an 8important issue for the people of Albany,” he said.

keir.tunbridge@albanyadvertiser.com