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Preferred alignment chosen for $560 million WA project

The Western Australian Government will proceed with planning the Bunbury Outer Ring Road’s southern alignment through the existing road reserve.

Since July 2018, the state government have been investigating two possible corridors for the southern section of the $560 million Bunbury Outer Ring Road – the existing road reserve within the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme and an alternative corridor further to the east.

According to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, government departments have undertaken comprehensive investigation and environmental site surveys along both proposed corridors, and concluded both alignments had similar environmental values.

A number of changes to the preferred alignment have been made including moving the Gelorup connection from Hasties Road to Centenary Road, new north facing ramps at Raymond Road interchange and partial or full duplication of Bussell Highway.

“Stage 1 of the Bussell Highway Duplication Project will reduce congestion and eliminate a traffic pinch point where the highway meets Tuart Drive, the alternative route to Busselton,” Ms. Saffioti said.

Ms. Saffioti said the existing ‘red’ corridor has been in place in the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme for years and has been reviewed multiple times.

“While the existing road reserve has been in place for decades and received previous approval, it was necessary to examine a feasible alternative due to the recent elevation in the conservation status of the western ringtail possum to critically endangered,” Ms. Saffioti said.

“It will now be subject to further project development and design before an alignment is referred to state and federal environmental regulators. This process also offers the opportunity for further public comment.”


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