When coronavirus hit the ACT last year, the ACT Government spent $35 million fast-tracking infrastructure projects to keep Canberrans employed and grow the economy. Today, Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, and Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja opened a recently completed cycle path on Lake Burley Griffin, and announced other suburban infrastructure projects had been completed.
“When the pandemic first arrived on our doorstep 18 months ago, we stepped up investment by establishing a fast-track program of shovel-ready projects across Canberra that would support local jobs,” Mr Steel said.
“Through the stimulus program, the ACT Government has focused on projects that strengthen the amenity and liveability of Canberra’s suburbs whilst supporting local employment.”
These local infrastructure projects, including those delivered with the Commonwealth Government, have created 260 new jobs.
New active travel infrastructure, safer intersections, and revitalised public spaces and amenities have been completed, or will soon be ready to use.
Mr Steel hoped the new shared paths in Lyons, Woden, Tuggeranong, and East Basin would encourage more people to walk and cycle. “These were key missing links in our path network making it difficult to get from A to B,” he said.
The new Belconnen Boardwalk on Lake Ginninderra Foreshore made the space around Belconnen Arts Centre “a much more vibrant place”. The ACT Government plans to improve the rest of the circuit around the Lake.
The Federal Government allocated $167.3 million in the 2021–22 Budget to co-fund work on Canberra’s roads and light rail. This includes $26.5 million to duplicate William Hovell Drive, $5 million to duplicate Gundaroo Drive, $115 million to upgrade the Monaro Highway, and $50 million to upgrade the Tuggeranong Parkway corridor. The Government also committed $137 million to upgrade Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and $132.5 million for Light Rail – Stage 2A.
Completed projects include:
• Stage 2 of the Heysen St Link shared path on Devonport Street, Lyons
• Woden active travel improvements on Corrina and Furzer Sts, Phillip
• New toilets at John Knight Memorial Park, Belconnen and at Lake Tuggeranong East, Greenway
• Priority crossings for the City-Woden cycle route on Loftus St and Schlich Sts in Yarralumla, and on Theodore Street in Curtin
• The East Basin missing link path at Menindee Drive, Barton
• Tuggeranong Town Centre active travel improvements – A new path on Reed Street North (between Anketell Street and Soward Way)
Traffic lights were recently installed at four intersections to improve safety and access:
• Launceston Street and Irving Street, Phillip
• Southern Cross Drive and Starke Street, Holt
• Kuringa Drive and Owen Dixon Drive, Spence
• Belconnen Way and Springvale Drive, Hawker.
Other stimulus projects will soon be completed, including:
• The new Well Station Drive Park and Ride facility in Kenny
• Upgraded public toilets at Colbee Court, Phillip, and at Lyneham shops
• Further Tuggeranong Town Centre active travel improvements – a bi-directional bike-only path on Soward Way (Anketell Street to Drakeford Drive) and a new bike and pedestrian priority crossing at Reed Street South (between Anketell Street and Limburg Way)
