The Sulwood Drive upgrade is nearly complete. Photo: ACT Government.
Sulwood Drive, a major link road through the southside suburbs of Kambah and Wanniassa, reopens to traffic on Monday (16 September) despite wet weather and fears roadworks would have to be extended into December.
Work to improve pedestrian access to the Mount Taylor Nature Reserve began in early May, with an original completion date of 5 August.
Traffic lights have been installed at the Mannheim Street intersection, along with new pedestrian crossings, new entry and exit points to the Mount Taylor car park, and new tarmac 500 metres along Sulwood Drive on either side of the intersection.
A new walking and cycling path has also been laid on the southern side of Sulwood Drive, stretching 4 km between Drakeford Drive and Athllon Drive.
Come 5 August, however, the reopening was pushed back to an unspecified date in September due to “unexpected underground conditions”.
“Significant progress has been made, including electrical work for new traffic lights and streetlights, installation of streetlight poles, new concrete kerbs and gutters, and new carpark entry and exit points,” a statement from the ACT Government’s City Services directorate read.
“However, unexpected underground conditions have required additional excavation and material to build a solid foundation for the new road.
“Crews are working hard to complete the works and minimise disruption. The new section of the road will have a strong foundation, suitable for heavy traffic and long-term use.”
The crews encountered “unexpected underground conditions”, which delayed the project. Photo: Tuggeranong Community Council, Facebook.
During question time in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 6 September, local Canberra Liberals member Mark Parton criticised the government for its handling of the project, which has had “a significant impact on thousands of residents” and keeps on “dragging on”.
“Now information presented to my office … suggests the road will remain closed until at least December,” he said, and tabled photos of the works, which he claimed “showed this is clearly not going to happen in September”.
Minister for City Services Tara Cheyne said the extension was required due to “wet weather, unsuitable ground conditions and significant volumes of material that required removal”.
“I know the contractor is working as quickly as possible, and we have certainly emphasised that. I do still hope it will reopen in September, but I can’t predict the weather.”
However, she did apologise for the lack of notice of the extension, which was released the day the intersection was meant to reopen, describing it as “regrettable”.
Commentary on the Kambah Community Noticeboard on Facebook reveals plenty of locals are excited about the change, but others wonder if it went far enough.
“So excited,” one comment read.
“Sulwood Drive before this project: an unmitigated disgrace. Sulwood Drive after this project: an unmitigated disgrace with a set of lights in the middle of it,” another said.
Others suggested it should have been made two lanes on either side.
“It’s good they are fixing stuff – a delay is not a big deal as the result will be worth it. Shame they couldn’t have made it dual carriageway, oh well.”
“It should have been a dual carriageway from the start,” another read.
While the intersection will reopen on Monday, rolling roadworks will continue, laying the finishing touches to the walking and cycling path, repairing sections of the road further along Sulwood Drive, and replanting trees that were removed.
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