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Transport minister visits Albany to announce stage three works nearing completion

Campbell WilliamsonAlbany Advertiser
Rita Saffioti and Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens.
Camera IconRita Saffioti and Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti visited Albany last week to announce stage three roadworks on South Coast Highway were days away from completion.

Ms Saffioti said the closure that had increased travel times for several towns east of Albany would be finished in July.

The project includes reconstruction of a 6km section of highway and the construction of two passing lanes between Bluff Creek Road and Kojaneerup West Road.

“We apologise for any disruption but we know that these types of improvements are very much worth it in the long term,” Ms Saffioti said.

“What we’re seeing will be a brand new road through this area and enormous safety benefits through this area.”

The work is designed to ease traffic along the sole freight and tourism route from the Eastern States to the Great Southern.

The project was initially scheduled for completion in May, but Ms Saffioti said a wetter-than-expected autumn had slowed works.

“It’s been very wet down here and that has complicated works ... but this project will deliver enormous safety benefits and allow the smoother movement of agricultural products throughout the region,” she said.

“(We’re) making sure that the farmers in particular can have access along this route and there’ll be continual works through the area to have it finished through July.”

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