Construction begins on WA $852m Bunbury Outer Ring Road project

Following the announcement of a preferred builder in October 2020, works have now commenced to deliver the largest road infrastructure project in Western Australia’s South-West, the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. 

The $852 million Bunbury Outer Ring Road project is being built by the South West Gateway Alliance, which is comprised of Acciona, NRW Contracting, MACA Civil, AECOM and Aurecon in partnership with Main Roads WA. 

“Well-planned infrastructure projects such as the Bunbury Outer Ring Road are vital for the Bunbury area. 

“Bunbury Outer Ring Road will provide relief for local residents by removing freight and regional traffic from local roads while maintaining easy access to Bunbury and other regional destinations,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said. 

The project will not only provide a congestion-busting solution for the region, but it will also create and support approximately 5,680 direct and indirect jobs that will benefit the State and local community. 

“The Bunbury Outer Ring Road will generate significant economic and employment opportunities. 

“The project will deliver significant benefits for our economy both during its construction and once in operation, unlocking thousands of local jobs,” Premier Mark McGowan said. 

Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said that the State Government has worked hard to fast track this project towards construction to help the State recover from the recent COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are building Western Australia’s economy back up from the pandemic by continuing to deliver Building for Tomorrow, the biggest transport infrastructure program WA has seen 

“Maximising local business procurement is a key objective for the project with a target spend of $300 million set to encourage and maximise local South-West industry participation,” Minister Saffioti said. 

Project map (source: Main Roads WA)

The Bunbury Outer Ring Road is a 27-kilometre stretch of road that will connect Forrest Highway to Bussell Highway. The project is going to be delivered in three sections, namely: 

1. Northern Section – Forrest Highway to Boyanup Picton Road 

• Interchanges to be built at Forrest highway, Raymond Road, South Western Highway, Waterloo and Willinge Drive 
• Delivery of a full connection at South Western Highway to provide better access for Bunbury CBD and Ferguson Valley 

1. Central Section – Boyanup Picton Road to South Western Highway 

• Completed in May 2013, the four-kilometre Central Section included the extension of Port Access Road (Willinge Drive) 
• Willinge Drive, one of the larger interchanges, will provide access to Bunbury Port. Plans to extend Willinge Drive to South Western Highway to provide new access to the timber industry are in the works 

1. Southern Section – South Western Highway to Bussell Highway 

• Includes delivery of interchanges at Bussell Highway and Centenary Road as well as a connection to Jules Road 

“The new Bunbury Outer Ring Road will support local businesses and jobs while also improving safety and efficiency. 

“This road will create new connections of Forrest Highway to Bussell Highway and South Western Highway, while also significantly reducing pressure on Bunbury’s local road connections especially around Glen Iris and the Bunbury Regional Hospital,” State Member for Bunbury Don Punch said. 

This significant road infrastructure project will also prioritise promoting and maximising local Aboriginal participation through a $20 million target spend for Aboriginal businesses as well as an employment target equivalent to about 60 full-time Aboriginal people to be engaged for project delivery over the three-year construction period. 

The project delivery alliance – South West Gateway Alliance – is committed to delivering the Bunbury Outer Ring Road sustainably by working with the local recycling industry to help maximise the opportunities of safely recycling and reusing any waste materials during construction. 

“I strongly believe local procurement is vital for projects in the South West to boost local jobs and the economy. 

“It’s important that money spent on our regions is spent in our region,” Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino said. 

The Bunbury Outer Ring Road is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $681.6 million and $170.4 million respectively. 

The project is due to be completed in early 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Main Roads WA