23 February 2018

Duplication on Ashley Drive progresses with southbound traffic switch

| Lachlan Roberts
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The new section of the road that was part of today’s traffic switch. Photo: Supplied by Transport Canberra.

Southbound traffic between Erindale Drive and Isabella Drive will be moved onto the new section of road today (23rd February) with the duplication of Ashley Drive one step closer to completion.

Following the first stage of the traffic switch in late 2017, the second stage will provide better access for the construction team to complete their final months of work. The new stage follows the completion of the noise walls and works on the underground services with the underpasses on Statton street and Bugden Avenue.

Director of Capital Works from Transport Canberra and City Services, Ben McHugh, said there were only a further two milestones before the project’s completion.

“We expect the traffic lights to be operational in April 2018, with the project to be completed soon after that.”

“A priority of this project was that it was delivered as quickly as possible to minimise the impact on the community, and I am pleased to say that we have met all major milestones within expected timeframes thus far. Road users can look forward to the completion of the duplication and a less congested commute soon,” Mr McHugh said.

“This upgrade to Ashley Drive will not only significantly increase the capacity of the road and save commuters time each day, it will also improve road conditions for cyclists and pedestrians providing benefits for all road users.”

Roadside signage will alert road users to the changed traffic arrangements with a speed limit of 60km per hour will remain in place until works have been finalised.

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Sean Harvey say’s the Ashley Drive Extension was “due in early 2018” in every article he has seen.

I guess he mustn’t read the Canberra Times, The City news, ABC Web Site, TCCS, the Transport Minister and also Chief Minister Katy Gallagher’s Press releases.

2018 started being promoted as the finish date ‘after’ the Government realised it wouldn’t meet its original targets for duplication (that Tuggeranong politicians kept mooting for many many years).

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/government-promises-full-duplication-of-ashley-drive-20160524-gp2xeh.html
http://www.katygallagher.net/act_labor_to_invest_19_6_million_to_further_upgrade_and_duplicate_ashley_drive
http://citynews.com.au/2016/ashley-drive-duplication-underway/
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-government-defends-ashley-drive-duplication-plans-20150527-ghajsf.html

So the Director of Capital Works says the priority was to get the project finished as quickly as possible.

Considering duplication of Ashley Drive as the busiest single lane road in Canberra, was promised to be finished in 2015/16 by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, (following over a decade of unfulfilled Labor pre-election promises to duplicate the road – in the next term from 2002)

I’d hate to think of the wait if speed to completion wasn’t the highest priority for the ACT Government.

http://www.katygallagher.net/act_labor_to_invest_19_6_million_to_further_upgrade_and_duplicate_ashley_drive

Capital Retro11:09 pm 24 Feb 18

Given the delays experienced with this project that you have alluded to there is no way the light rial from city to Gungahlin is going to be completed by August this year.

Good, now fix up the massive pot hole, Isabella Drive, in the left lane, just before the Coyne Street and Hambidge Cres roundabout, heading south towards Tuggeranong.

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