The Albany Ring Road project marked a major milestone in April 2022, with the first of three new interchanges opening to traffic.
The interchange, comprising a new bridge on Menang Drive over Albany Highway with connecting ramps, is the first grade-separated intersection in the Great Southern Region and its opening marks completion of the first phase of the Ring Road project. It was delivered on schedule and on budget, despite significant challenges during one of the wettest winters on record.
Construction of the final section of the Ring Road, between South Coast Highway and Princess Royal Drive, commenced in February 2022. The alignment had significant design enhancements during 2021 to improve local connectivity and reduce the overall footprint. These improvements also lowered the overall vegetation clearing requirement by almost 50 per cent.
Upon completion in 2024, this $175 million project will establish an 11-kilometre free-flowing connection between Albany Highway and Princess Royal Drive, improving freight efficiency and reducing congestion on existing routes. The project will support the longterm viability of the Port of Albany and take heavy vehicles out of the centre of the City providing a safer road network and improve amenities for residents and visitors.
This is the largest infrastructure project undertaken in the Great Southern Region and is a game changer for the area delivering jobs and growing local businesses. To date, 44 per cent of the contract value has been awarded to businesses located within 100 kilometres of the Albany CBD. Approximately 10 per cent of the hours worked have been undertaken by the project's Aboriginal workforce and 40 per cent of project professional staff live within the Great Southern Region.
Winter has delivered us a short window to prepare the next stage of community engagement activities as we prepare the community and stakeholders for the major works that will commence in September. We are continuing our regular engagement program to better understand how the project can limit its impact on residents' daily activities.
In recognition of the strong cycling community in Albany, we are looking forward to providing briefings to local cycling clubs and working to ensure cyclists can safely navigate their way through the works. For more information on the project visit our website.