- Work on a new flyover at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road intersection to begin in February
- Construction contract awarded to Highway Construction Pty Ltd
- Project to complete the Albany Ring Road route, improving safety and efficiency
- Cook Government committed to delivering quality infrastructure across WA
Construction of a new flyover at the intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road in Albany will begin this month, delivering the final connection in the Albany Ring Road project.
Highway Construction Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver the $60 million project, which will improve efficiency along the Albany Ring Road route by providing heavy vehicles with a non-stop connection from Chester Pass Road to the Port of Albany.
The new grade separated interchange will allow southbound vehicles to exit Chester Pass Road via an elevated ramp, passing back over the top of Chester Pass Road via a bridge and connecting into Menang Drive westbound.
It will improve safety and efficiency along the critical freight route by removing the need for trucks to queue in the turning lane before making a right turn across oncoming northbound traffic.
The first phase of construction activity will include earthworks for the embankments of the new flyover on each side of Chester Pass Road, with most of the activity to take place away from the road, minimising the impact on public traffic.
The project is part of the Cook Government's commitment to generating local jobs and delivering quality infrastructure across Western Australia.
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Delivering the Albany Ring Road has been a game-changer for the Great Southern region, streamlining access to the Albany Port and improving safety for local road users.
"In its first 18 months of operation, the project has taken about 2,000 vehicles per day out of the centre of Albany, including 800 trucks.
"As Albany's population continues to rise and visitor numbers grow, a safe, streamlined and reliable heavy vehicle corridor is essential to service the region.
"This project will complete the Albany Ring Road, generating local jobs in the short-term and supporting the future growth of the region's economy."
As stated by Regional Development and Ports Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Albany is the Great Southern region's major industrial, commercial and retail centre, and is connected to the surrounding region by heavily utilised freight routes destined for the Albany Port.
"The Cook Government is delivering these important upgrades that will improve heavy vehicle flow to the port, enhance safety for road users and promote further investment in the Great Southern region."
As stated by Road Safety and Great Southern Minister Reece Whitby:
"This flyover is a major road safety upgrade for Albany, separating heavy vehicles from local traffic, making travel significantly safer for families, freight operators and all drivers who use the Ring Road.
"This $60 million project is a strong investment in local jobs and quality infrastructure, supporting the Great Southern economy while delivering long-term benefits for the community.
"Completing the final link of the Ring Road will transform how traffic moves around the city, providing a non-stop connection to the Port and making Albany an even better place to live and work."
As stated by Samantha Rowe MLC:
"The Cook Government is committed to delivering the quality infrastructure our regional centres need to thrive.
"The Albany Ring Road is already taking thousands of heavy vehicles out of the centre of Albany each week, reducing congestion and improving safety for local road users.
"Construction of the flyover will further enhance the benefits of the Albany Ring Road delivering the final connection in this once-in-a-generation project for the Great Southern."
