Media Release: Katy Gallagher MLA
ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, today announced that from tomorrow Canberrans can provide feedback on preliminary design plans for a dedicated bus priority measures on Canberra Avenue.
“The ACT Government is committed under Transport for Canberra to increase work trips using buses to 16% by 2026. Putting in measures which give buses priority over other traffic will help encourage more people to make the switch to bus travel,” the Chief Minister said.
“The dedicated bus priority lane on Canberra Avenue will ease traffic congestion and improve public transport connections along this important east-west transport corridor, including Queanbeyan to Canberra City, and is a key component of ACTION’s Frequent Network.
“A total of $8.2 million was allocated in the 2010-11 budget for this project including a feasibility study, detailed design and construction,” the Chief Minister said.
The bus priority measures will be delivered in four stages. The first stage of work will include a new 1.3 kilometre dedicated bus lane between the Monaro Highway intersection and Hume Circle. This section is currently serviced by about 30 buses during the morning peak, particularly by the Red Rapid service which travels to and from DFO. It is estimated that a dedicated bus lane, as well as priority at intersections, will reduce travel time by at least 10 percent. Stage 1 will also include the upgrade of the intersection of Canberra Avenue and Geelong Street.
The initial construction of a dedicated bus lane will enable a 2-10 minute frequency in the peak period on the Red Rapid route.
Cyclists will also be accommodated by an on-road cycle lane and bike storage facilities at a new major bus stop near the Canberra Eye Hospital, supporting the ACT Government’s bike and bus initiative,” the Chief Minister said.
The preliminary sketch plans also include future stages of work:
- bus priority at traffic light controlled intersections on Newcastle Street and Ipswich Street;
- enhanced pedestrian facilities with a new signalised pedestrian crossing at Geelong Street and additional footpaths to Narrabundah and the Canberra Eye Hospital;
- enhanced lighting for pedestrian footpaths and cycle lanes;
- widening of the bridge over Jerrabomberra Creek to accommodate the new bus lane;
- removal of some trees along the road corridor which will be replaced with tree plantings of a similar species to ensure the character of Canberra Avenue is retained;
- tree planting to provide a screening for residents of the Canberra South Motor Park.
The preliminary sketch plans will be available online at www.timetotalk.act.gov.au and will also on display in the DFO food court area from 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week and at the CIT campus in Fyshwick (Building G) from 7 am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
“Canberrans can attend one of four drop-in information sessions to meet the project team, ask questions and provide feedback:
- DFO Fyshwick – Saturday 30 June or 14 July 2012, 11 am – 1 pm
- CIT Fyshwick – Wednesday 4 or 25 July 2012, 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm
“People can also email their feedback to communityengagement@act.gov.au. Following community feedback the design plans will be finalised and construction will commence in early 2013,” the Chief Minister concluded.
Consultation begins on Saturday 23 June and closes at 5 pm Wednesday 1 August 2012. For more information visit www.timetotalk.act.gov.au
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This page was last updated on 26 April 2021
