Minister for Roads Chris Steel at the duplicated Horse Park Drive. Landscaping is still going on but all four lanes are open during peak times. Photo: Supplied.
A notorious bottleneck for Gungahlin drivers has been cleared with the completion of the duplication of Horse Park Drive from the Federal Highway to the intersection of Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive.
Minister for Roads Chris Steel said the duplication of Horse Park Drive was completed at about $6 million under budget and was a key piece of infrastructure to reduce congestion and keep Canberrans moving.
“We know Gungahlin residents will be pleased the road is now completed and I’d like to sincerely thank them for their enormous patience and understanding whilst these important road works were completed,” he said.
Work on the section between the Federal Highway and Well Station Drive got underway in mid-2018 and all four lanes opened in this section earlier this month but the project was also extended through to the intersection of Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive to include a number of safety features to ensure students are safe on their way to and from school.
The Wells Station Drive section includes 2.6 kilometres of duplications to provide two lanes in each direction, a new three-metre wide shared path along the southern side (Kenny side) of Horse Park Drive, a new road bridge and shared path bridge over Sullivan’s Creek, 400 new Eucalyptus trees planted along the corridor and better access to the parking area for the Goorooyarroo Nature Park.
Safety features in the extension to the intersection of Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive included an indented bus bay, a new signalised pedestrian crossing at the entrance to the Amaroo playing fields, fencing in the median strip to prevent unsafe crossings, removal of the median refuge islands and improved traffic lights at the intersection so people can cross in one movement, and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h to 60 km/h.
All major duplication works have now been completed, and works will soon finish on the shared path shortly and some landscaping works will continue in the coming weeks.
Member for Yerrabi Michael Pettersson welcomed the completion, saying it seemed at times the Gungahlin region was one giant construction site.
“What it shows is that our Government was serious about addressing the infrastructure needs of our region and building better roads, and now we can share in the benefits,” he said.
“The worst disruptions are now over, and with Horse Park Drive now duplicated, Gundaroo stage 1 finished and light rail completed, Gungahlin residents are already reporting the benefits in substantially reduced commute times.”
Mr Steel said that in the last 12 months alone Hibberson Street had been transformed into a one-way shared zone, Ernest Cavanagh Street was extended, new traffic lights installed at Kate Crace Street and the Valley Avenue, a new connecting road in Camilleri Way built, and design works were also under way for the duplication of William Slim Drive.
The other major road project, Gundaroo Stage 2, from Gungahlin Drive to the Barton Highway is under construction and is on track for completion around mid-2020.
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