30 September 2011

GDE opening now

| Gungahlin Al
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One of our @gungahlincc tweeps (Mel from Curves Gungahlin) has reported that both northbound lanes of the GDE are open and they are in the process of opening both southbound lanes right now. Slick trip home tonight for you all!

And next week people will be able to try out using Gungahlin Drive (yes can we please drop the whole GDE thing now?) to get to Civic instead of battling Northbourne Avenue…

[ED – It will always be an extension to me]

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Mothy said :

Will do, after seeing a northbound vehicle hit the wire crash barrier just after the Gininderra Drive on-ramp this morning. Could have been messy had those wires not been there.

Noting while some scream about the speed limit, we’ve had a second crash into the wire barriers over the weekend (assumed, since I only saw them down this morning), this time southbound, same section – between the Ellenborough Street overpass and the Gininderra Drive Exit.

Gungahlin Al said :

This time it’s for real. The ACT Government has advised that they will be “officially opening” the full Gungahlin Drive from 10am tomorrow (Friday).

I’m sending a virtual custard pie to the face of John Hargreaves for refusing to listen to us (and everyone else) that two lanes would not be adequate, for putting us through so much traffic congestion for so many years, and for costing all ACT tax/ratepayers so many utterly avoidable $millions in extra road costs and drivers in extra running costs. The bitter memories of this road construction project shall forever be your legacy John as possibly the ACT’s least enlightened Transport Minister ever.

Why a virtual custard pie Al? I live in Belco, and have been commuting very slowly to Fyshwick through that catastrophe for 11 years now. The costs of wasted fuel, time and frustration for thousands of Canberra residents are incalculable.

Real pies are definitely the go, IMHO.

Oh Al,

I love your work.

And couldn’t agree more.

Gungahlin Al7:24 pm 06 Oct 11

This time it’s for real. The ACT Government has advised that they will be “officially opening” the full Gungahlin Drive from 10am tomorrow (Friday).

I’m sending a virtual custard pie to the face of John Hargreaves for refusing to listen to us (and everyone else) that two lanes would not be adequate, for putting us through so much traffic congestion for so many years, and for costing all ACT tax/ratepayers so many utterly avoidable $millions in extra road costs and drivers in extra running costs. The bitter memories of this road construction project shall forever be your legacy John as possibly the ACT’s least enlightened Transport Minister ever.

Gungahlin Al4:15 pm 06 Oct 11

Keijidosha said :

Gungahlin Al said :

People just need to be a little patient.

Almost a decade of waiting requires more than a little patience.

Yeah OK – a little MORE patient? 🙂

Gungahlin Al said :

People just need to be a little patient.

Almost a decade of waiting requires more than a little patience.

Gungahlin Al11:53 am 06 Oct 11

People just need to be a little patient. They expect to have it all wrapped up by tomorrow. In the meantime, the 60kph limit is in place so people can benefit from the extra lanes while giving some measure of security to those guys doing the last landscaping and clean-up jobs.

But if people are comfortable donating their hard-earned to the wallopers, then rest assured they are active.

^ but even if that man wasnt there sweeping, it would have had no effect on belconnen way exit lane…

because even when i finally got onto the exit lane, i still had to wait 3 cycles of green lights before i finally got onto belconnen way.

traffic will always queue up back onto the GDE’s left lane in peak hour times.

montana said :

well i gave the GDE a chance this morning. And as I suspected, the traffic builds up at the belconnen way exit, all the way back up to the GDE itself. I should point out there was some other blockage up ahead going over the belconnen bridge, but this wouldnt have been the cause of the log jam on the belconnen way exit.

3 solutions:

– increase the timing of the lights so that it lets more than 6 cars in each cycle.
– add a third lane for cars to queue
– get rid of the left turning lights altogether, its amazing how many opportunities you potentially get to turn left, due to the size of the intersection, it takes forever for the oncoming cars to even come close to you from a standing stop. plenty of time for cars to go through.

well back to my lyneham, o’conner route tomorrow.

As for the speed limit on the GDE. i think it should be variable: peak hour 80km/h, any other time 100km/h
The entries lanes are plenty long enough, just that people dont know how to speed up enough to get to the same speed as oncoming traffic.

OMG and its school holidays, imagine the build up come peak time.

This was because of some stupid traffic management/road works.

They closed the slip lane, for no apparent reason and forced all that traffic over to the right, then up further they forced both lanes back across to the left because a man was sweeping.

well i gave the GDE a chance this morning. And as I suspected, the traffic builds up at the belconnen way exit, all the way back up to the GDE itself. I should point out there was some other blockage up ahead going over the belconnen bridge, but this wouldnt have been the cause of the log jam on the belconnen way exit.

3 solutions:

– increase the timing of the lights so that it lets more than 6 cars in each cycle.
– add a third lane for cars to queue
– get rid of the left turning lights altogether, its amazing how many opportunities you potentially get to turn left, due to the size of the intersection, it takes forever for the oncoming cars to even come close to you from a standing stop. plenty of time for cars to go through.

well back to my lyneham, o’conner route tomorrow.

As for the speed limit on the GDE. i think it should be variable: peak hour 80km/h, any other time 100km/h
The entries lanes are plenty long enough, just that people dont know how to speed up enough to get to the same speed as oncoming traffic.

OMG and its school holidays, imagine the build up come peak time.

Mr Gillespie4:12 pm 05 Oct 11

Djk #64 maybe if they are too drunk to stick to their side of the witch’s hats maybe they shouldn’t be at work at all!

Mr Gillespie said :

Do we get an apology from the roadworkers (or their bosses) for the 60 and 40 signs strewn about the place, on top of the constant traffic jams these caused? I think being told to slow down on an already bottlenecked road is like adding insult to injury, rubbing salt into the wounds, and on a daily basis.

Fancy those scoundrels wanting you to slow down to a safe speed while they are working ~1 metre away from your 1.5 tonne hunk of metal!

It will always be John Dedman Drive to me.

And I wonder when it will get shut down for the third lane to be installed.

Mr Gillespie9:49 am 05 Oct 11

Do we get an apology from the roadworkers (or their bosses) for the 60 and 40 signs strewn about the place, on top of the constant traffic jams these caused? I think being told to slow down on an already bottlenecked road is like adding insult to injury, rubbing salt into the wounds, and on a daily basis. Thank God I have never had to use that road, but imagine those (including friends of mine who live on the northside and worked on the southside) who have had to endure this hell on a daily basis.

We got HALF an apology from the Labor government, some of it excuses blaming the Liberals, and some of it because of those greenie rednecks (aka “Save The Ridge”) who tried to use the court system to have the GDE stopped.

PrinceOfAles said :

Why can`t it be 90km/h from the lights at Mitchell all the way down to the Glenloch Interchange? Surely that would be reasonable. Gungahlin Drive from there on is as good as any motorway in Sydney or elsewhere.

Right that’s enough… 10 minute sin bin, using to much common sense… Off you go…

shadow boxer8:42 am 05 Oct 11

PrinceOfAles said :

Why can`t it be 90km/h from the lights at Mitchell all the way down to the Glenloch Interchange? Surely that would be reasonable. Gungahlin Drive from there on is as good as any motorway in Sydney or elsewhere.

Judging from the number of police booking people on it this morning i’d say the budget is in trouble and the 60 signs are staying until they raise enough money.

PrinceOfAles12:35 am 05 Oct 11

Why can`t it be 90km/h from the lights at Mitchell all the way down to the Glenloch Interchange? Surely that would be reasonable. Gungahlin Drive from there on is as good as any motorway in Sydney or elsewhere.

devils_advocate said :

As much as it pains me to say it, I don’t think the GDE can work as a 100kph road, there are too many slip/exit lanes too close together and they’re not long enough. Think about the Parkes Way area – it works well because the slip lanes are far apart and plenty long enough to accomodate the traffic. Also many of the exits to the cross-roads are give way, rather than lights.
.

+1

Northbound the Ginnenderra Drive exit could be “fun” even before all the road works.
Sometimes banked up by the lights. Other times, a non exiting driver would suddenly slow down to the exit speed limit, cunningly placed between the two lanes.

Heading North from Aranda is almost blind for me, and I’m tall. Don’t get to see the next car until after I’ve committed to pull in behind that one.

devils_advocate said :

I mean yes that risk is there anyway (ie people driving 100) but at least if the limit is 80 it is more likely that people will be going a bit slower.

So you think that just because the limit is 80 then people will be travelling at 80? I don’t think so, not on the Canberra roads that I drive on where travelling at the speed limit often results in flashing lights, horn honks, insulting gestures etc.

MightyJoe said :

Does anyone know when the 60km/h speed limits will be taken away? I drove this morning (one of the few) at the speed limit as I’d seen heaps ofpeople get pinged over the weekend for speeding.

I’m loathe to drive GD as I get extremely frustrated that a perfectly good 2 lane road is still at the contruction limit speed and not 80 or 90 (whatever it will be) or, did the Aranda residents against the duplication finally get their way and have somehow made it a 60km/h zone the whole way through?

It is bloody silly having 60km/h when clearly the roadworks north of Belconnen way are finished, but like you I drive at the speed limit on cruise control as I don’t want to get pinged.

Though plenty of cars were racing past me, including one who tooted and gave me a hurry up hand gesture, kinda like he thought I was going to slow. Ironically the point where he did this was right next to a 60km/h sign. Maybe some think because it is on the left it only applies to the left hand lane.

montana said :

can anyone see any potential problems with it come peak hour?

The real test will come on the day after the Family and Community Day long-weekend (who actually remembered the name of this public holiday?), or possibly the Monday after that (back-to-school day).

Currently with about 1/3 of Canberran’s on holiday, a peak hour traffic is defined by a vehicle that has to slow down because another in front of it has stopped at a red traffic light.

Does anyone know when the 60km/h speed limits will be taken away? I drove this morning (one of the few) at the speed limit as I’d seen heaps ofpeople get pinged over the weekend for speeding.

I’m loathe to drive GD as I get extremely frustrated that a perfectly good 2 lane road is still at the contruction limit speed and not 80 or 90 (whatever it will be) or, did the Aranda residents against the duplication finally get their way and have somehow made it a 60km/h zone the whole way through?

loving the fact that the electronic and fixed signs still tell you to merge to one lane when heading southbound over the Barton Hwy………

OverLord said :

Both lanes open, sweet times.

Yeah 60km/h signs are still up, but Canberrans being Canberrans, people were flying past me doing 90-100.

Unsurprising. There is NO REASON that road should be speed limited to anything less than 90-100kmh.

devils_advocate11:14 am 04 Oct 11

As much as it pains me to say it, I don’t think the GDE can work as a 100kph road, there are too many slip/exit lanes too close together and they’re not long enough. Think about the Parkes Way area – it works well because the slip lanes are far apart and plenty long enough to accomodate the traffic. Also many of the exits to the cross-roads are give way, rather than lights.

As mentioned above, on GDE, there’s too great a risk that the traffic will back up onto the actual road proper and daydreamers will come flying along at 100kph, not realise that the traffic is stopped and cause a major pile-up. I mean yes that risk is there anyway (ie people driving 100) but at least if the limit is 80 it is more likely that people will be going a bit slower.

Gungahlin Al said :

There are four sets of lights on Gungahlin Drive actually. Two at Mitchell and two at Palmerston.

Five if you count Gundaroo Drive too Al (assuming your two for Palmerston are either end of Kosciusko).

DavidL5N96 said :

Somebody gave credit to the planners!

Will do, after seeing a northbound vehicle hit the wire crash barrier just after the Gininderra Drive on-ramp this morning. Could have been messy had those wires not been there.

Though the rubber-necking brigade did their best to recreate the slowness of an under-construction GDE slowing down to take a look.

Thoroughly Smashed9:47 am 04 Oct 11

DavidL5N96 said :

Somebody gave credit to the planners!

Send ’em your CV mate.

Somebody gave credit to the planners!
1. Turning into Belconnen Way should have been a merge not a traffic light (except for a light for cyclists) – watch the build up when extra traffic comes on.
2. Historically, Barton Highway and Northbourne – two roads join (5 lanes including bus lane) into two lanes -always problems there – what a bunch of idiots.
3. One particular idiot turning lights on at the new traffic lights near Hall when not all the lanes were open (and no after hours access to contact the idiot to turn them off again).
4. These same lights – no imagination, the same amount of money could have been spent to get a much better solution – especially given that it must be the slowest road works in Canberra (in comparative terms for the size of the job slower than the GDE).
AND finally anyone who thinks that traffic will improve much has to be off their rockers – given the transfer of slow traffic that currently uses Gundaroo Road.

Growling Ferret8:15 pm 03 Oct 11

Wow, 80kmh on a quiet GDE is going sloooooow.

ACT Govt through the AFP will get back the hundred mill or whatever it cost in speeding fines for anyone using the road outside of peak time…

You can drive above the speed limit without driving like a twat. It’s got nothing to do with driving skill, or lack thereof.

montana said :

getting back on topic, with gde virtually finished, can anyone see any potential problems with it come peak hour? I think the 2 merge lanes in succession from Barton hwy going north onto gde may cause some cars to slow down a bit. also will interesting to see if enough cars can fit on the belconnen way exit lane turning left.

Yeah i’m wondering which blockages will pop up with the current constructions ones being removed. Hopefully it wont be like the traffic going towards civic which comes to a stop due to that merging section.

shadow boxer11:51 am 02 Oct 11

niftydog said :

montana said :

I think your reasoning is short sighted…

I think your logic is flawed. It’s probable that the faster car will just get to the next red light sooner and be waiting for longer; The slower car then has time to catch up or even pass. The driver of the slower car probably also has lower blood pressure and arrives home at peace rather than in a frothing rage which equates to longer life expectancy and a superior sex life!

I doubt it, in my experience those that stick to the speed limt tend to just sit and fume and shake their fist at those that dont while the rest of us just get on with getting to where we need to be as quickly as we think safe.

getting back on topic, with gde virtually finished, can anyone see any potential problems with it come peak hour? I think the 2 merge lanes in succession from Barton hwy going north onto gde may cause some cars to slow down a bit. also will interesting to see if enough cars can fit on the belconnen way exit lane turning left.

mr_wowtrousers said :

“I see the I dont speed so I’m a good driver brigade is out.”

Well, yeah, it makes you better than maybe 70% of drivers in Canberra. Like 80’s hair, constantly sitting over the speed limit hints at deeper issues.

Speeding quite often involves tailgating or dangerous driving including weaving in and out of traffic, so that’s another couple of reasons I am a better driver than you.

Do you indicate for 2-3 seconds *before* merging and merge only when you can fully see the car in your rear view mirror (giving them enough gap behind you) or do you flick on once as you already lazily drift into a new lane? Do you run your lights when it is raining or dusk? Do you keep at least 3 seconds gap on the Parkway? Do you answer your phone when driving? Do you head check blindspots as well as using mirrors. Do you own a BMW X5 or a Golf GTi?

The list goes on. The fact is, I *am* a better driver than you. I am also a better motorcyclist and cyclist than you as well.

Congratulations, you’ve done enough to pass your Ls.

Gungahlin Al said :

Jethro said :

I’m pretty sure there are no lights on the GDE.

There are four sets of lights on Gungahlin Drive actually. Two at Mitchell and two at Palmerston.

Yep they but they are on the earlier part Gungahlin drive not the new ‘parkway’ bit which rightly or wrongly is known by most as GDE. Do agree with one of your earlier comments that it is time for the expression GDE to be put to bed

Aeek said :

Cool, all the more reason to take the bicycle rather than the car.

Good point. Perfect excuse for getting the bike out of winter hibernation (yes, I know it’s been spring for a while now – I’m just soft)

wildturkeycanoe said :

As for the extra 10km/h over the limit, I’m with Montana on that one. It can get you through one orange and then it’s green street all the way, saving potentially 8 – 10 minutes depending on the journey. If you get stuck behind slow coaches, it’s always red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,beep beep, Aaaargh!!

+1 I’ve noticed this too on many roads with many lights. For instance, on Hindmarsh westbound if you travel at a ‘sweet spot’ between 5-10kmh over limit, you can get a run of green lights all the way (you get to one just before it turns orange, then the next, and then as if magically the universe aligns and seems to be smiling at you and you get greens the rest of the way — proof to some, perhaps, of the existence of a higher power that condones speeding or perhaps even drives a ute and like to wear fluoro him/herself. On the other hand if you go the limit or below … a lot of the time it’s red lights all the way.

I guess if the govt really wanted to disincentivise speeding on such roads, instead of speed cameras they could synch the lights so that they punished the speedsters, who would get reds. and rewarded the speed limit people Can’t be that hard to synch lights this way surely?

Gungahlin Al said :

Jethro said :

I’m pretty sure there are no lights on the GDE.

There are four sets of lights on Gungahlin Drive actually. Two at Mitchell and two at Palmerston.

My brain refuses to accept that the GDE is Gungahlin Drive. It’s just not right.

Gungahlin Al said :

Jethro said :

I’m pretty sure there are no lights on the GDE.

There are four sets of lights on Gungahlin Drive actually. Two at Mitchell and two at Palmerston.

Well there you go (clearly I don’t get up that way too often) 😛

mr_wowtrousers10:23 pm 01 Oct 11

“I see the I dont speed so I’m a good driver brigade is out.”

Well, yeah, it makes you better than maybe 70% of drivers in Canberra. Like 80’s hair, constantly sitting over the speed limit hints at deeper issues.

Speeding quite often involves tailgating or dangerous driving including weaving in and out of traffic, so that’s another couple of reasons I am a better driver than you.

Do you indicate for 2-3 seconds *before* merging and merge only when you can fully see the car in your rear view mirror (giving them enough gap behind you) or do you flick on once as you already lazily drift into a new lane? Do you run your lights when it is raining or dusk? Do you keep at least 3 seconds gap on the Parkway? Do you answer your phone when driving? Do you head check blindspots as well as using mirrors. Do you own a BMW X5 or a Golf GTi?

The list goes on. The fact is, I *am* a better driver than you. I am also a better motorcyclist and cyclist than you as well.

Gungahlin Al10:16 pm 01 Oct 11

Jethro said :

I’m pretty sure there are no lights on the GDE.

There are four sets of lights on Gungahlin Drive actually. Two at Mitchell and two at Palmerston.

wildturkeycanoe said :

Grrr, just means more traffic coming through Belconnen Way/Barry Dr, slowing down the way I normally ……..oh wait, there’s very little traffic at 6:30am so it doesn’t worry me a bit. Woo Hoo!
As for the extra 10km/h over the limit, I’m with Montana on that one. It can get you through one orange and then it’s green street all the way, saving potentially 8 – 10 minutes depending on the journey. If you get stuck behind slow coaches, it’s always red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,beep beep, Aaaargh!!

I’m pretty sure there are no lights on the GDE.

what_the said :

I see the I dont speed so I’m a good driver brigade is out.

The point about lowering speeds gradually across canberra is that at the same time, it’s the government admiting the standard of driving is lowering. So rather than actually improve the standard of driver, we get stuck with the numptys we currently enjoy which will only further increase with the inevitable further dumbing down of drivers, oh and the placement of ‘safety camera’s in those areas that have had the speed limit dropped, like the oh so dangerous Monaro Highway…

But hey, keep praising the actions of the government, i mean you dont speed so you’re obviously a good driver…

I would suggest the fact that I know and obey all road rules, have never been in a car accident and have maintained a full license since I first got my P plates indicates that, yes, I am a good driver. In fact, I know for certain that my sticking to speed limits, following distances, etc has been the very reason I have avoided being in car accidents (eg. being the first car in a row of 5 cars not to ram up the car in front’s arse when the first car in the queue had to suddenly slam on its brakes, being able to brake in time to avoid a child running out from behind a bus, etc).

wildturkeycanoe8:09 pm 01 Oct 11

Grrr, just means more traffic coming through Belconnen Way/Barry Dr, slowing down the way I normally ……..oh wait, there’s very little traffic at 6:30am so it doesn’t worry me a bit. Woo Hoo!
As for the extra 10km/h over the limit, I’m with Montana on that one. It can get you through one orange and then it’s green street all the way, saving potentially 8 – 10 minutes depending on the journey. If you get stuck behind slow coaches, it’s always red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,red,beep beep, Aaaargh!!

To drive down a completed GDE with nary a witches hat in sight will be the happiest day of my life.

Gungahlin Al12:57 pm 01 Oct 11

Wow. From road (partially) open, to name debate, to how to get a superior sex life.
Never would have guessed this thread’s direction…

montana said :

I think your reasoning is short sighted…

I think your logic is flawed. It’s probable that the faster car will just get to the next red light sooner and be waiting for longer; The slower car then has time to catch up or even pass. The driver of the slower car probably also has lower blood pressure and arrives home at peace rather than in a frothing rage which equates to longer life expectancy and a superior sex life!

montana said :

…especially on roads that have synchronized green lights.

0_0 They have those? Where?

Jethro said :

chewy14 said :

Gungahlin Al said :

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

OK Al,

Yehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now when does the speed limit get set to 100km/hr?

What, it doesn’t? Godammit.

By my rough calculations that would add about 2 minutes to the average drive from Gunghalin to the city, assuming you got to sit at the speed limit the whole way. Wow. Who gives a crap?

That’s one thing I just don’t get about people who complain about lower speed limits. FFS, at 80 km/h you are travelling faster than any human being did for most of recorded history. An extra 10 or 20 k’s an hour isn’t going to add jack to your overall travel time, but will significantly increase your risk of being involved in accident (not necessarily because of the higher speed, but because accidents tend to occur when vehicles on the same road aren’t travelling at the same speed), as well as the risk of serious injury if you are involved in an accident.

But I guess getting home 2 minutes earlier so you can sit on your butt and watch TV is too important of a thing to give up.

I think your reasoning is short sighted. those 2 minutes saved can potentially turn into many more minutes saved if the car doing an extra 10km/h manages to sneak through a set of green lights whilst the slower car just misses out and gets stuck at the red light. yes there’s every chance both cars end up at the same red light but at least car A gives itself a better chance to make a much faster journey especially on roads that have synchronized green lights.

Jethro said :

No. I drive at 80 in an 80 zone. 100 in a 100 zone, etc. Never had a speeding ticket in my life. Speed camera revenue would drop to zero if everyone drove at the posted speed.

My point was that people who disagree with a speed limit and, as a result, choose to drive at 15 or 20k’s above the limit are making completely negligible savings in their driving time. It seems an insignificant benefit for running the risk of copping a couple hundred dollar fine.

Exactly my point why the government should set the speed limit at what the road was designed for. The GDE has a design speed of 100km/hr and was meant to have a speed limit of 90.

I see the I dont speed so I’m a good driver brigade is out.

The point about lowering speeds gradually across canberra is that at the same time, it’s the government admiting the standard of driving is lowering. So rather than actually improve the standard of driver, we get stuck with the numptys we currently enjoy which will only further increase with the inevitable further dumbing down of drivers, oh and the placement of ‘safety camera’s in those areas that have had the speed limit dropped, like the oh so dangerous Monaro Highway…

But hey, keep praising the actions of the government, i mean you dont speed so you’re obviously a good driver…

Ha, just as I’ve finished up at work!!! I can rest in the fact it’s probably nowhere finished and it’s announcement will be about as accurate as Bush’s Mission Accomplished proclamation.

chewy14 said :

OK, I assume you drive 40km/hr in 80 zones then right? I mean it would only take you a few extra minutes everywhere you drive right? No?
I mean its fine to have a road designed for 90 km/hrs set at 80km/hr. That won’t cause any problems and the extra money earned by the point to point cameras will be negligible. Right?

No. I drive at 80 in an 80 zone. 100 in a 100 zone, etc. Never had a speeding ticket in my life. Speed camera revenue would drop to zero if everyone drove at the posted speed.

My point was that people who disagree with a speed limit and, as a result, choose to drive at 15 or 20k’s above the limit are making completely negligible savings in their driving time. It seems an insignificant benefit for running the risk of copping a couple hundred dollar fine.

yellowsnow said :

Call me a glass half empty kind of guy, but I’m really not looking forward to the first Monday morning post school holidays. All the extra traffic from fully functional GDE will really slow Parkes Way down

Cool, all the more reason to take the bicycle rather than the car.

Oh well I stuffed those quotes up didn’t I?
Too busy trying to type on my phone whilst driving 120 down the parkway.

if people really care about saving precious minutes of their time on GDE or elsewhere, they are free to travel 100kmh in 80 zones (in fact many canberrans seem to do this already) – just be prepared to pay for it occasionally

alternatively, get a job closer to home or move closer to work (admittedly harder for tradies, who seem to do much of the speeding)

Jethro said :

chewy14 said :

Gungahlin Al said :

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

OK Al,

Yehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now when does the speed limit get set to 100km/hr?

What, it doesn’t? Godammit.

By my rough calculations that would add about 2 minutes to the average drive from Gunghalin to the city, assuming you got to sit at the speed limit the whole way. Wow. Who gives a crap?

That’s one thing I just don’t get about people who complain about lower speed limits. FFS, at 80 km/h you are travelling faster than any human being did for most of recorded history. An extra 10 or 20 k’s an hour isn’t going to add jack to your overall travel time, but will significantly increase your risk of being involved in accident (not necessarily because of the higher speed, but because accidents tend to occur when vehicles on the same road aren’t travelling at the same speed), as well as the risk of serious injury if you are involved in an accident.

But I guess getting home 2 minutes earlier so you can sit on your butt and watch TV is too important of a thing to give up.[/uquote]
OK, I assume you drive 40km/hr in 80 zones then right? I mean it would only take you a few extra minutes everywhere you drive right? No?
I mean its fine to have a road designed for 90 km/hrs set at 80km/hr. That won’t cause any problems and the extra money earned by the point to point cameras will be negligible. Right?

Jethro said :

By my rough calculations that would add about 2 minutes to the average drive from Gunghalin to the city, assuming you got to sit at the speed limit the whole way. Wow. Who gives a crap?

But I guess getting home 2 minutes earlier so you can sit on your butt and watch TV is too important of a thing to give up.

correction – if you go 100km you’ll reach Parkes Way 1.5mins faster than at 80kmh, then you’ll sit there in traffic with everyone else (if you don’t get wiped out in that crazy merge lane first).

Call me a glass half empty kind of guy, but I’m really not looking forward to the first Monday morning post school holidays. All the extra traffic from fully functional GDE will really slow Parkes Way down – I give it a few days before the Gungahlin folk give up and stick with Northbourne, inner north rat runs, or exit early at Belconnen Way.

Parkes Way is also due to have its own two years of disruption soon – construction is to commence this financial year on adding a third lane each way, but only to the Acton tunnel. I would have thought the problem on Parkes Way for eastbound traffic are the (remaining) roundabouts and the perpetually clogged exit ramp to get onto Cmth Ave bridge, which extra lanes next to Black Mt ain’t gonna solve, but i guess the planners know better.

chewy14 said :

Gungahlin Al said :

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

OK Al,

Yehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now when does the speed limit get set to 100km/hr?

What, it doesn’t? Godammit.

By my rough calculations that would add about 2 minutes to the average drive from Gunghalin to the city, assuming you got to sit at the speed limit the whole way. Wow. Who gives a crap?

That’s one thing I just don’t get about people who complain about lower speed limits. FFS, at 80 km/h you are travelling faster than any human being did for most of recorded history. An extra 10 or 20 k’s an hour isn’t going to add jack to your overall travel time, but will significantly increase your risk of being involved in accident (not necessarily because of the higher speed, but because accidents tend to occur when vehicles on the same road aren’t travelling at the same speed), as well as the risk of serious injury if you are involved in an accident.

But I guess getting home 2 minutes earlier so you can sit on your butt and watch TV is too important of a thing to give up.

The GDE open??? Bullsh*t!

The road has been designed for a “posted speed limit” of 90 km/h.

See: http://www.gde.act.gov.au/design__and__construction

However, the recent (and painfully slow) speed limit of 60 km/h seems to mean that we can all go 80 kp/h. So whether it is 80 or 90 kp/h, doesn’t really matter – most folk (especially those fluro-clad in utes with fog lights ablaze) will go somewhere between 110 and 130 km/h, as they do on the TP (no E required), except of course for the mandatory brake-fest before the cameras come into range.

As for me, I shall obey the rules in my mighty buzz box and still arrive relaxed at my workplace within a minute or so of the frenzied fluros.

But I must say it’s nice to finally have a decent road, and even better that I am still alive to use it.

Went through at about 4pm and still has a 60km/h on the open bit with a cop car out and about who had one pulled over. I guess they will keep it 60 until Tuesday so as to make some extra money to cover the overtime and penalty rates during the long weekend.

Both lanes open, sweet times.

Yeah 60km/h signs are still up, but Canberrans being Canberrans, people were flying past me doing 90-100.

Gungahlin Al5:49 pm 30 Sep 11

Here’s the official word from @tamsmediaroom: “GDE nearing completion: traffic north of Belconnen Way open to two lanes in both directions.”

So completely open northbound and two southbound lanes for half of it. Close…

We’ve already been told the limit will be 80kph BTW.

montana said :

wow the GDE lanes are open? awesome

wait a minute, who cares?

im still going through o’connor, lyneham, kaleen on my way home to harrison. (from city west)

At least you’ll get to see some nice houses that way. And the tall green things are called trees.

wow the GDE lanes are open? awesome

wait a minute, who cares?

im still going through o’connor, lyneham, kaleen on my way home to harrison. (from city west)

Gungahlin Al4:42 pm 30 Sep 11

Crap. @tamsmediaroom have tweeted us: “GDE work continues. Traffic cones being removed on northbound lanes only 60kph speed limit remains. Stay tuned.”

Maybe they were just repositioning the southbound witches hats when Mel saw them.
Sigh…

Gungahlin Al said :

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

We’re just joshin’ you! It’s great news that it’s open.

Gungahlin Al said :

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

OK Al,

Yehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now when does the speed limit get set to 100km/hr?

What, it doesn’t? Godammit.

Gungahlin Al4:35 pm 30 Sep 11

Sigh… that’s what you pull out of that?
The road’s open! Yay!!!! Woo hoo.

Gungahlin Decelerates Eternally?

buzz819 said :

Meh, I’ll be saying GDE FOREVER!

GDE FOREVER!

GD4E.

I feel like doing a Kramer and driving down the road painting over the middle lane markers.
Luxury lanes for everybody.
C’Mon, we’ve been doing it for too long to change now.

Definitely GDE forever, in memory of how long it took them to build the bloody thing…

We can change the extension to express just for Al?

Meh, I’ll be saying GDE FOREVER!

GDE FOREVER!

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