4 August 2020

Road closures as work on Weston-Woden link gets under way

| Ian Bushnell
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Chris Steel with community representatives

Minister for Roads and Active Travel Chris Steel with community representatives at Oakey Hill Nature Reserve in December. Photo: File.

The ACT Government has announced a number of road closures to enable construction to start on the Heysen Street shared path connecting Weston Creek and Woden.

Construction will get underway this week to deliver the first stage of improvements on the Heysen Street project, seen as a missing link in the path network.

As well as a new three-metre wide asphalt shared path, the project will deliver safer crossing points for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users as well as LED lighting along the route.

The shared path begins at the intersection of Devonport Street and Derwent Street, moves through the Oakey Hill Nature Reserve and follows Heysen Street before coming to an end at the intersection with Hilder Street.

Minister for Roads and Active Travel Chris Steel said the connection through Oakey Hill Nature Reserve would provide a more direct and safer route for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users.

New shared path

The route of the new shared path. Image: ACT Government.

The first road closure will be on Heysen Street in both directions between Hilder Street and Devonport Street from mid-August for about two months, with no access for road users, cyclists or pedestrians.

“This project will be disruptive during construction but will deliver the long-term benefits of improved cycling and walking connections between Weston and Woden,” Mr Steel said.

“I would like to thank Weston Creek and Woden residents in advance for their patience in taking an alternative route, while this missing link in our cycle network is built.”

Stage 2 of the Heysen St Link will provide a 2.5 metre wide off-road asphalt shared path along Launceston Street from Burnie Street in Lyons to the underpass near the Lyons shops.

Mr Steel announced last month that this would be placed on the government’s fast-track infrastructure program.

Pedal Power ACT, the ACT Equestrian Association, and the Weston Creek Community Council worked together to achieve a design that should work well for residents, horse riders and cyclists.

The new link is a win for community activism, after lengthy lobbying from local cyclists and Pedal Power.

Mr Steel said work would also start on the 1.1 km protected cycleway through the Woden Town Centre on Corinna Street this month. This project will create a safer and more efficient route for cyclists, separating them from both pedestrians and other road users.

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