The ACT Government's local infrastructure investments to support jobs and keep our economy growing through COVID are now coming to fruition, with key project completed or nearing completion across Canberra.
New active travel infrastructure, safer intersections and revitalised public spaces and amenities have now been completed or will soon be completed ready for the community to use.
This record investment in local infrastructure projects, including those delivered with the Commonwealth Government, have so far created up to 260 new jobs and supported many more existing jobs.
"When the pandemic first arrived on our doorstep 18 months ago, we stepped up investment by establishing a fast-track program of shovel ready projects across Canberra that would support local jobs," said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
"Through the stimulus program the ACT Government has focused on projects that strengthen amenity and liveability of Canberra's suburbs whilst supporting local employment.
"We hope the brand new shared paths in Lyons, Woden, Tuggeranong and East Basin will encourage more people to get out and walk and cycle. These were key missing links in our path network making it difficult to get from A to B.
"I encourage Canberrans to check out the new Belconnen Boardwalk project which has completely reshaped the space around Belconnen Arts Centre making it a much more vibrant place for visitors to enjoy Lake Ginninderra. This is the first stage in further improvements the ACT Government is planning for the rest of the circuit around the Lake."
"These projects are complemented by major investments across the Territory, including the upgrades to the Monaro Highway, the duplication of William Hovell and Gundaroo Drive, and upgrading the Tuggeranong Parkway," Senator Seselja said
Completed projects include:
- The Belconnen Boardwalk on Lake Ginninderra Foreshore
- Stage 2 of the Heysen St Link shared path on Devonport Street Lyons
- Woden active travel improvements on Corrina and Furzer Sts Phillip
- New toilets at John Knight Memorial Park Belconnen and Lake Tuggeranong East in Greenway
- Priority crossings for the City-Woden cycle route on Loftus St, Schlich Sts Yarralumla and Theodore Street Curtin
- The East Basin missing link path at Menindee Drive Barton
- Tuggeranong Town Centre active travel improvements – New path Reed Street North (between Anketell Street and Soward Way)
Four intersections have recently had traffic lights installed to improve safety and access including:
- Launceston Street and Irving Street, Phillip
- Southern Cross Drive and Starke Street, Holt
- Kuringa Drive and Owen Dixon Drive, Spence
- Belconnen Way and Springvale Drive, Hawker.
A number of further new facilities will also come online in the coming weeks and months as stimulus projects undertaken through this year continue to reach completion, including:
- The new Well Station Drive Park and Ride facility in Kenny
- Upgraded public toilets at Colbee Court Phillip and Lyneham shops
- Further Tuggeranong Town Centre active travel improvements – a bi-directional bike-only path on Soward Way (Anketell Street to Drakeford Drive) and a new bike and pedestrian priority crossing at Reed Street South (between Anketell Street and Limburg Way)
