The ACT Government is building the infrastructure our growing city needs with a major step forward in the design of the Athllon Drive upgrade released in a tender today.
This is part of our plan to invest in Canberra's transport corridors to cater for our growing population, supporting more jobs and making it easier to move people more efficiently and safely no matter how they travel," said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
"The duplication to increase the capacity and safety of the Northern section of Athllon Drive is moving ahead with detailed design for the upgrades between Hindmarsh Drive and south of Melrose Drive now in market.
"Detailed design is already well underway on the first stage of the Athllon Drive upgrade program between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive in Tuggeranong, to support the 14,000 vehicles travelling on this road each day.
Engagement with the community is planned for 2024 when proposed intersection upgrades, public transport, and active travel improvements and landscaping will be on display prior to the planning approval processes.
"We remain committed to delivering the duplication of Athllon Drive. The project supports Canberra's integrated transport network in meeting the needs of future population growth and supporting a sustainable ACT for all Canberrans," said Minister Steel.
The planned upgrade of the northern section includes additional lanes, bus priority measures, active travel and intersection improvements, including path upgrades to improve access to bus stops.
"One of the key reasons we are augmenting the capacity of this road is because it is a key public transport corridor and the upgrades will support the new Woden bus depot as traffic on the corridor grows," said Minister Steel.
"Congestion on our road network doesn't just impact our road users – our public buses move through these corridors as well. Increased congestion reduces the efficiency of these services and therefore the desirability of using public transport. This is at the forefront of planning for these upgrades."
Construction activity for stage one between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive is expected to start in 2024, while major construction on stage two between Hindmarsh Drive and south of Melrose Drive is expected from 2025.
"Early works to facilitate access to the new electric Woden Bus Depot, including at the intersection of Athllon Drive and Shea Street, will start in 2024 ahead of major works on stage two," said Minister Steel.
"We welcome the commitment by the Federal Government to jointly fund the construction of these upgrades and it's great to see work progressing to deliver this project.
"The investment being made across the ACT Government's infrastructure program is providing thousands of jobs from the conception stages through to planning, design and construction as we continue building the important infrastructure our growing city needs."
