- Construction of new flyover completing the Albany Ring Road to begin in late 2025
- Project will maximise benefits of Albany Ring Road and improve safety on critical section of regional freight route
Construction of a new flyover at the intersection of Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road will begin in late 2025, following today's release of a tender to industry to deliver the important connection.
The $60 million project involves the construction of a grade separated interchange south of the current intersection of Chester Pass Road and Menang Drive. The new 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.
The new flyover will reduce the need for trucks to queue in the turning lane before making a right turn across oncoming northbound traffic, improving safety for all road users.
Once complete, vehicles will have free flowing access from Chester Pass Road all the way through to the port, maximising the efficiency of the Albany Ring Road (Menang Drive).
The project's design and site investigations have been finalised, paving the way for construction to begin at the end of the year, with completion anticipated in 2027.
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Menang Drive was a once-in-a-generation project for the Great Southern Region, delivering a free-flowing freight connection around the city and taking heavy vehicles off existing routes.
"The project has been open for just over a year, and is taking around 2,000 vehicles per day, including 800 trucks out of the centre of Albany.
"Prior to the project, these vehicles would have been using key arterial routes including Chester Pass Road and Albany Highway, heightening the safety risk for residents and visitors to the area.
"Earlier this year, the City of Albany was named the fastest-growing local government area in the State. As the population continues to rise and visitor numbers grow, a safe, uninterrupted heavy vehicle corridor is essential.
"The additional interchange at Menang Drive and Chester Pass Road will allow the final link in the Albany Ring Road connection to be delivered, complementing the other new interchanges at Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road."
As stated by Minister for Road Safety and Great Southern Reece Whitby:
"As well as providing a critical road safety and freight efficiency upgrade, the Albany Ring Road project is a gamechanger for contractors and suppliers in the Great Southern Region.
"Economic growth has increased through the Albany Ring Roadwith approximately $50 million already invested in local businesses, supporting jobs and investment, helping keep our economy the strongest in the nation.
"Approximately $6 million was spent on Aboriginal businesses and suppliers, while 10.5% of the construction workforce hours were completed by local Aboriginal people.
"This new flyover will remove heavy vehicles from the existing local network, and is just another example of our commitment to deliver road upgrades, increasing the safety for all drivers across our State."
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook 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 the Great Southern Region.
"This project includes a significant $60 million Royalties for Regions investment which will boost Albany's transport network, creating smoother, safer roads for this rapidly growing port city. This will be a win for businesses, local residents, visitors and tourists.
"Our Government is committed to supporting regional infrastructure initiatives to help drive strong and sustainable regional communities."
