19 September 2012

Bowen Place upgrade back on track

| johnboy
Join the conversation
35
bowen place

The ABC has a story on the cash strapped National Capital Authority being told to also put an underpass onto Bowen Place making the lake loop significantly safer.

For reason not entirely clear to us this has prompted Pedal Power to declare Katy Gallagher the winner of the upcoming election and congratulate her on operating Simon Crean like a sock puppet

[Photo Courtesy Pedal Power]


UPDATE: Pedal power have forwarded the joint Gallagher/Crean media release:

Join the conversation

35
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

wildturkeycanoe said :

KB1971 said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

I really hope the cyclist’s lobby recognizes the impost on our already promised tripled housing rates for their pure cycling enjoyment!!!! If I was asked to contribute, I would NOT, but the government seems hell bent on taxing me to pay for the little luxuries that our two-wheeled “friends” keep receiving.

You dont get out & about much do you?

80% of the traffic on that part of the shared paths is pedestrian.

You don’t read real good, do ya. I don’t see “pedestrian power” giving their thumbs up to this, only the cycling group whom I am having a go at. If this was purely a pedestrian issue, why is Pedal Power so pleased? This pathway is the same one that leads to Kingston foreshore and its associated cycling infrastructure. So only 20% are cyclists? Only 20% of replies here think its a good idea as well.

Hahahaha, you are funny. The only pedestrian group I know of is the Pedestrin Council in Sydney which has only one active member, Harlod Scruby ( a quick google of “pedestrian lobby groups in the ACT” just confirmed this).

I am sure if there was a pedestrian power they would be releasing a statement too about the pending underpass.

This crossing is NOT the same pathway that leads to the Kingston forshore, that path runs alongside Bowen Dr and anyone, be it pedestrian or rider, can continue on their journey un-impeded.

The crossing that is the subject of this debate actually crosses the road to gain access to Kings ave bridge and is quite busy with cars and pedestrians. There are no white lines marked on the road to make drivers stop and the corner coming from Kingston is blind for people crossing, there is a high probability of someone being run over.

So why dont you actually contirbute to the debate rather than have a self serving dig at a group that are lobbying to help make facilities better for the wider community?

Most people here are realising that something must be done, the biggest issue people have is the cost.

wildturkeycanoe5:41 am 21 Sep 12

KB1971 said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

I really hope the cyclist’s lobby recognizes the impost on our already promised tripled housing rates for their pure cycling enjoyment!!!! If I was asked to contribute, I would NOT, but the government seems hell bent on taxing me to pay for the little luxuries that our two-wheeled “friends” keep receiving.

You dont get out & about much do you?

80% of the traffic on that part of the shared paths is pedestrian.

You don’t read real good, do ya. I don’t see “pedestrian power” giving their thumbs up to this, only the cycling group whom I am having a go at. If this was purely a pedestrian issue, why is Pedal Power so pleased? This pathway is the same one that leads to Kingston foreshore and its associated cycling infrastructure. So only 20% are cyclists? Only 20% of replies here think its a good idea as well.

OpenYourMind11:25 pm 20 Sep 12

Sgt.Bungers said :

Henry82 said :

Well it’s a dangerous crossing…. 10 million dollars dangerous? hmmmmmmmmmmm

Depending on which source you read, the (utterly insensitive) monitory value of a life lost in a car crash is between $1.5 million to $6 million. Source 1. Source 2.

Anyone who drives through Bowen Place on a regular basis will be well aware of the number of people who attempt to cross the road there. Now picture one motorist, blissfully ignorant of any sense of accountability, sporting an intelligent “I have right of way, the fksin peds shouldn’t be on the fkssving road” attitude, flying through Bowen Place at 70-80 km/h, colliding with and killing a family of four.

The costs of such an incident could exceed $10 million. Such an incident occurring is hardly far fetched.

The upgrade is well overdue.

Well said. I find the crossing dangerous on foot or on bike and I consider myself able bodied. The crossing is a natural part of the journey for most people including families and/or tourists doing a short loop of the lake.

The problem primarily comes from car drivers speeding around the bend from Kingston.

My vote is to close the road to cars completely, but if the crossing can’t be fixed quickly, some ruddy great speed bumps, a pedestrian crossing, some flashing lights and a chicane or two are needed to make the crossing safer. Alternatively drop the speed limit to 40 and set up a fixed speed camera.

PrinceOfAles5:30 pm 20 Sep 12

KB1971 said :

Sgt.Bungers said :

gazket said :

People can get around or loop the lake without crossing Bowen PL

Where?

Jerrabomberra Wetlands…….. 😛

That`s about the only place I could think of. Something tells me gazket has never actually tried walking or riding around the lake.

Sgt.Bungers said :

gazket said :

People can get around or loop the lake without crossing Bowen PL

Where?

Jerrabomberra Wetlands…….. 😛

colourful sydney racing identity11:23 am 20 Sep 12

Sgt.Bungers said :

That crossing is incredibly dangerous in its current state.

I’ve seen a father move a bit further down towards the lake into a scouting position, then signal to his family who was attempting to cross the road when it was safe to do so.

You’d expect a parent to have to take that kind of measure to protect his family on a battlefield, not on an urban road ~1 km from parliament house in a first world country.

+1 – very difficult with a pram and small child.

gazket said :

People can get around or loop the lake without crossing Bowen PL

Where?

That crossing is incredibly dangerous in its current state.

I’ve seen a father move a bit further down towards the lake into a scouting position, then signal to his family who was attempting to cross the road when it was safe to do so.

You’d expect a parent to have to take that kind of measure to protect his family on a battlefield, not on an urban road ~1 km from parliament house in a first world country.

Henry82 said :

Well it’s a dangerous crossing…. 10 million dollars dangerous? hmmmmmmmmmmm

Depending on which source you read, the (utterly insensitive) monitory value of a life lost in a car crash is between $1.5 million to $6 million. Source 1. Source 2.

Anyone who drives through Bowen Place on a regular basis will be well aware of the number of people who attempt to cross the road there. Now picture one motorist, blissfully ignorant of any sense of accountability, sporting an intelligent “I have right of way, the fksin peds shouldn’t be on the fkssving road” attitude, flying through Bowen Place at 70-80 km/h, colliding with and killing a family of four.

The costs of such an incident could exceed $10 million. Such an incident occurring is hardly far fetched.

The upgrade is well overdue.

wildturkeycanoe said :

I really hope the cyclist’s lobby recognizes the impost on our already promised tripled housing rates for their pure cycling enjoyment!!!! If I was asked to contribute, I would NOT, but the government seems hell bent on taxing me to pay for the little luxuries that our two-wheeled “friends” keep receiving.

You dont get out & about much do you?

80% of the traffic on that part of the shared paths is pedestrian.

c_c said :

KB1971 said :

I dont know why we need an underpass, why not just loop a skybridge from the bike path to the side of the Kings Ave bridge. Or just an overpass pedestrian bridge like the rest of Canberra.

Really?

It has to do with what will have the least impact on the landscape while offering the most utility for users. Underpass is an elegant solution. Any sort of over pass not only creates an eye sore visually, but will no doubt need to be caged to prevent rock throwers, creating an even greater eye sore.

Yep really, the location is not that picturesque anyway and underpasses can be horrible places at night.

My thoughts are a bridge making an arc form the existing shared path to the side of Kings Ave bridge so it doesnt go over the road anyway.

Mind you, it would probably end up costing as much with the way the tender process is conducted.

BTW, there is nothing stopping people throwing rocks onto cars on Bowen Dve from Kings Ave ATM & if you had not noticed, there is a bloody big eysore of a bridge in the local area already.

damien haas said :

I made a submission over a year ago, suggesting that instead of spending 10 million dollars and building an underpass… build a simple stair case rising from the cycle path adjacent to the lakes edge, to the bridge.

People with prams, bike and segway riders and the disabled will still need to use the existing, dangerous quasi-crossing.

No, nothing screwy this idea.

Holden Caulfield9:57 am 20 Sep 12

I acknowledge this this stretch of road and quasi-crossing can be dangerous, but as a regular car driver through here and a sometime pedestrian the only time I have ever encountered any real concern is when pedestrians have walked out without looking.

Or worse, on one occasion, a pedestrian looked, clearly saw me, and still walked out, meaning I had to use reasonable braking force to avoid knocking her over.

So while I can see there will be improvements with the underpass approach if dumb arses are prepared to walk onto a road when they don’t have right of way then the issue of car v pedestrian and the inevitable results will just get shifted to the next problem area.

When you’re on the road, regardless of your mode of transport, pay attention. It’s a pretty simple concept to grasp, you’d think.

Snave81 said :

I thought that the NCA had ruled out the underpass option before going to public consultation despite it being the better option.

When did a bridge turn into an underpass or is it just because the feds are paying?

the underpass became the write in candidate under the “do it once, do it properly” theory. the NCA tried to take it out of the running because it would cost more, the commenting public put it back on the agenda

Masquara said :

c_c said :

It’s Commonwealth funding, for a Commonwealth project, on Commonwealth land (or land within their planning control).

Problem… none.

There is definitely an issue, sorry. During Caretaker there is NO government. Simon Crean is flouting convention. The fact that it is a Commonwealth project is irrelevant: Katie Gallagher has wrongly been included in the publicity. WRONG.

This person votes.

colourful sydney racing identity9:39 am 20 Sep 12

glen said :

1) close road for a day
2) dig a big trench with a nice excavator
3) drop in with crane a few prefab reo concrete drainage culverts
4) put dirt back on top
5) fix road.
10 million bucks eh ? ahh the public sector way. if only these people had ever worked in the private sector that’s know what value for money was.

Ahh the ignorant internet user way. You seem to have no concept of how to construct a sentence let alone an underpass.

When the Bowen Place crossing was open for public consultation, weren’t there 3 options (the underpass not being one of then) and a bridge was chosen as the preferred option over the traffic lights or pedestrian crossing? I thought that the NCA had ruled out the underpass option before going to public consultation despite it being the better option. When did a bridge turn into an underpass or is it just because the feds are paying?

damien haas said :

I made a submission over a year ago, suggesting that instead of spending 10 million dollars and building an underpass you just know people will be mugged in, or choose not to use at night and therefore still get hit crossing the road – that they build a simple stair case rising from the cycle path adjacent to the lakes edge, to the bridge.

The underpass is most needed during peak hours, when there’s lots of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If people want to avoid the underpass at night because of a perceived safety concern (which I don’t really think exists in this area) then I don’t think that’s a major issue.

If you built a bridge then people would ignore it and cross the road because they’re too lazy to walk/ride uphill. And I’m sure the cyclists would love to have to dismount and climb some stairs (not to mention accessibility issues).

1) close road for a day
2) dig a big trench with a nice excavator
3) drop in with crane a few prefab reo concrete drainage culverts
4) put dirt back on top
5) fix road.
10 million bucks eh ? ahh the public sector way. if only these people had ever worked in the private sector that’s know what value for money was.

colourful sydney racing identity8:38 am 20 Sep 12

shauno said :

$10 million surely we can do it for a lot cheaper than that. What so dig ditch across road place pre fabricated concrete blocks in ditch cover over re pave road and connect bike path. 10 million you beauty. And its going to take 12 months? In Singapore this sort of thing would be built in a couple of months.

based on your extensive engineering experience, obviously.

colourful sydney racing identity8:37 am 20 Sep 12

Masquara said :

It’s Caretaker period – so why is Simon Crean ignoring the Caretaker conventions (they exist for good reason)? Simon Crean should have issued the release either jointly with ACT Liberals and ACT Labor, or issued it outside Caretaker period. BAD FORM SIMON CREAN!

*sigh* moron.

$10 million surely we can do it for a lot cheaper than that. What so dig ditch across road place pre fabricated concrete blocks in ditch cover over re pave road and connect bike path. 10 million you beauty. And its going to take 12 months? In Singapore this sort of thing would be built in a couple of months.

A few years ago I was told a basic seagull intersection costs $5 million, and that’s just some concrete islands laid onto existing road base. Consultants need to eat it seems.

c_c said :

It’s Commonwealth funding, for a Commonwealth project, on Commonwealth land (or land within their planning control).

Problem… none.

There is definitely an issue, sorry. During Caretaker there is NO government. Simon Crean is flouting convention. The fact that it is a Commonwealth project is irrelevant: Katie Gallagher has wrongly been included in the publicity. WRONG.

wildturkeycanoe9:30 pm 19 Sep 12

I really hope the cyclist’s lobby recognizes the impost on our already promised tripled housing rates for their pure cycling enjoyment!!!! If I was asked to contribute, I would NOT, but the government seems hell bent on taxing me to pay for the little luxuries that our two-wheeled “friends” keep receiving.

I made a submission over a year ago, suggesting that instead of spending 10 million dollars and building an underpass you just know people will be mugged in, or choose not to use at night and therefore still get hit crossing the road – that they build a simple stair case rising from the cycle path adjacent to the lakes edge, to the bridge.

It’s Commonwealth funding, for a Commonwealth project, on Commonwealth land (or land within their planning control).

Problem… none.

It’s Caretaker period – so why is Simon Crean ignoring the Caretaker conventions (they exist for good reason)? Simon Crean should have issued the release either jointly with ACT Liberals and ACT Labor, or issued it outside Caretaker period. BAD FORM SIMON CREAN!

People can get around or loop the lake without crossing Bowen PL

troll-sniffer6:34 pm 19 Sep 12

Well at least this one will be used by hundreds of people each day, for the $10 million, unlike the proposed Adelaide Avenue bus stops where for the same money we’ll get a dozen or two each day, optimistically speaking.

c_c said :

KB1971 said :

I dont know why we need an underpass, why not just loop a skybridge from the bike path to the side of the Kings Ave bridge. Or just an overpass pedestrian bridge like the rest of Canberra.

Really?

It has to do with what will have the least impact on the landscape while offering the most utility for users. Underpass is an elegant solution. Any sort of over pass not only creates an eye sore visually, but will no doubt need to be caged to prevent rock throwers, creating an even greater eye sore.

But a bridge will give a troll a new home. Anyone seen Henry BG lately?

can we get bookies odds on what will be finished first, this underpass or the repairs to the bike path between the hospice and RMC?

where has the pedal power agitation been on the seemingly complete lack of progress in getting part of the cities existing cycle infrastructure repaired ?

KB1971 said :

I dont know why we need an underpass, why not just loop a skybridge from the bike path to the side of the Kings Ave bridge. Or just an overpass pedestrian bridge like the rest of Canberra.

Really?

It has to do with what will have the least impact on the landscape while offering the most utility for users. Underpass is an elegant solution. Any sort of over pass not only creates an eye sore visually, but will no doubt need to be caged to prevent rock throwers, creating an even greater eye sore.

I dont know why we need an underpass, why not just loop a skybridge from the bike path to the side of the Kings Ave bridge. Or just an overpass pedestrian bridge like the rest of Canberra.

Well it’s a dangerous crossing…. 10 million dollars dangerous? hmmmmmmmmmmm

If they widened it, put a pedestrian island in the middle, and put some lines on the road, it would be much safer. The problem is everyone swings around the circle at full speed. If drivers want to go into the right lane, they just casually drift wide, which makes it difficult to cross

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.