Safer roads, revamped shopping centres and more attractive parks are among infrastructure projects the government has promised to benefit the ACT economy and create jobs.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the ACT Government was fast-tracking infrastructure construction and design to support local businesses and the community.
“The Government is preparing a pipeline of shovel-ready infrastructure over the coming years, funding a program of feasibility and design work to get projects ready for construction,” Mr Steel said.
He said the infrastructure investment was critical to Canberra’s economic recovery and would create around 40 jobs in the design phase, and an estimated 100 jobs during construction.
The Government is consulting on and designing a shared path on Sulwood Drive between Athllon Drive and Drakeford Drive. This includes a pedestrian crossing at the Mannheim Street intersection to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Mr Steel said accidents and congestion were an issue at two high-use intersections on Streeton Drive, Weston, with Heysen Street and Namatjira Drive. A feasibility study will determine how safety can be improved, for instance by installing traffic lights.
The ACT Government has also funded the detailed design of pedestrian and traffic improvements along Beltana Road in Pialligo following the release of preliminary sketch plans in late 2020.
The design will include new paths, formalised parking spaces, traffic calming, and a left-in/left-out intersection from Beltana and Kallaroo Roads onto Pialligo Avenue. This funding will finalise these designs so that it can move to the construction phase.
The Government has funded detailed designs for upgrades at the Campbell, Duffy, and Kaleen (Gwydir Square) shops, will release the designs in the coming months and follow up with feedback from the local communities and businesses.
The Government also has a strategic plan to improve Telopea Park, including lighting, tree cover and public amenities consistent with Telopea Park Heritage values.
“These projects are important to keep Canberrans employed; [they] will provide the Canberra community with safer roads and paths, and improve our streets and shopping centres,” Mr Steel said.
The ACT Jobs and Economic Recovery plan set a target to grow our employment base to 250,000, and the Territory remains well on track to meet this commitment, Mr Steel said.
For more news:
