Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti were at the Albany Ring Road site yesterday to turn the sod, marking the start of the major works.
Contractor Decmil will take on the project, which is the largest road infrastructure project to ever be delivered in the Great Southern Region of WA.
Construction is set to create around 1000 local jobs and economic benefit to the local community.
The first phase of the connection comprises a new interchange at Albany Highway and Menang Drive, and construction of the section of the Ring Road south to Lancaster Road.
Designs for the second phase of the project, from Lancaster Road to Princess Royal Drive are underway and will continue over the next 12 months, to enable construction to begin once environmental approvals are received.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said he was pleased to see one of his Government’s major regional election commitments getting underway.
“Today’s ground breaking marks the formal start of a project that has been 25 years in the making and was one of our key election commitments in the Great Southern region,” McGowan said.
“The project as part of our Building for Tomorrow program, which will create lasting infrastructure for generations to come and will provide a vital economic boost of our Great Southern Region, is creating up to 1,000 jobs, with initiatives to maximise local content incorporated as part of the contract.”
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the WA Government had worked hard to fast track this project to get workers on the ground as soon as possible.
“As part of our COVID recovery plan we worked hard to bring this project forward three months earlier than anticipated,” Saffioti said.
“The Albany Ring Road is a critical piece of infrastructure that will help underpin the economic success of the Great Southern Region for years to come.
The route will provide unimpeded road access to the Port of Albany linking to existing major roads and highways. It will take many heavy vehicles outside of the town centre and urban areas.
The $175 million project is jointly funded with the Federal Government providing $140 million and the Western Australian Government contributing $35 million.
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