Delays hit key Molonglo infrastructure projects

The completion dates for two key infrastructure projects in the Molonglo Valley have been pushed back.

The long-awaited Molonglo River Bridge will now be finished late in the third quarter of 2026, while the first stage of the new public primary school and co-located early childhood education and care service in Whitlam will open for Term 1 in 2027, not 2026.

The ACT Government says delays in delivering major infrastructure projects are a challenge for all states and territories due to the ongoing impacts of rising costs and skills shortages across the construction industry.

A spokesperson said the Molonglo River Bridge, which will provide a flood-free link between Belconnen and Molonglo and Weston Creek, had presented unique challenges, including complex utilities requirements.

It was supposed to open to traffic by the end of this year.

There were also broader pressures on the nation’s infrastructure market that have impacted all projects, including the Molonglo River Bridge.

There have been several changes to scope and required approvals since the design-and-construct contract was first awarded, beyond what was originally agreed and understood.

“This has changed some of the design criteria and required additional changes,” the spokesperson said.

The project would continue through the first quarter of 2027 with landscaping and planting.

“We are working collaboratively with our delivery partner and stakeholders to minimise the impact of the revised completion date,” the spokesperson said.

“Infrastructure Canberra are overseeing the construction of the bridge and will continue providing updates to the Molonglo community on the project.”

Local Liberal MLA Ed Cocks said he was mystified that with so much planning behind this critical infrastructure, the government had still got it wrong.

“The government knows how vital the Molonglo River Bridge is for local residents,” he said.

Mr Cocks said the ongoing delays were also placing increased pressure on one of only two arterial roads in the Molonglo Valley, Cotter Road, which continued to bear the brunt of the congestion while construction was ongoing.

The delay highlighted the need for urgent action on infrastructure to support the growing population of the Molonglo Valley and surrounding regions.

“The delay of the Molonglo River Bridge means that families will continue to spend more time in their cars and less time with their families,” Mr Cocks said.

The government spokesperson said the school project had been delayed after the builder advised an updated completion date.

“We know this might be disappointing news for some families, particularly those intending to enrol their children for 2026,” the spokesperson said.

All students in the Priority Enrolment Area would be able to attend Evelyn Scott School in Denman Prospect.