Page 1946 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 June 2015
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The government is committed to building an integrated transport network. This integrated approach will see the delivery of road infrastructure which includes the requirements for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users, commercial traffic and other road users as the norm. This is important as we develop a more sustainable city into the future.The budget tabled yesterday highlighted the government’s funding commitments to improve active travel, with over $23 million provided in 2015-16. Prioritising walking and cycling is key to Canberra’s transport future, and the government’s new active travel office will oversee implementation of new infrastructure and improvements to help people no matter how they get around.
While recognising the importance of expanding active travel and the links to public transport networks to manage the increased demands, maintenance of the existing networks is also important, with over $3 million expended each year for this purpose. The new funding initiatives in yesterday’s budget include $250,000 to fund the design of an upgrade for new and existing shared paths and cycle infrastructure in and around the Woden town centre; $600,000 to construct new shared walking and cycling paths through Bowen Park, connecting to the Kingston foreshore and making it easier to ride a loop around Lake Burley Griffin; $1.5 million to facilitate the final design and construction of new road crossings on the busy Sullivans Creek cyclepath, with crossings to be constructed at Masson Street, Condamine Street and Goodwin Street; $200,000 for the design of stage 1 of the Molonglo cycle highway from the city to Acacia Inlet, a parliamentary agreement item; $150,000 towards design improvements to increase ease of cycling and walking to and from the Kingston group centre; and $100,000 committed to Belconnen, west Belconnen and Tuggeranong feasibility studies to identify local walking and cycling path connections.
The budget measures announced yesterday are building better roads for Canberra, delivering more than $90 million for new roads and spending on new roads infrastructure, in addition to the ongoing road sealing and maintenance program. The $90 million invested in roads in this budget will also create jobs and stimulate the economy.
The $24.6 million upgrade of Ashley Drive announced in yesterday’s budget will cater to all modes of transport, with north and southbound on-road cycle lanes, additional footpaths to link with existing off-road paths and the duplication of existing underpasses near Statton Street and Bugden Avenue. This is another investment in our plan to build an integrated transport network focused on roads, public transport and active travel to deliver greater walking and cycling connections, all of which will connect people, transport hubs, town centres and other communities.
A six-week community consultation was held late last year and over 150 pieces of feedback were received. A number of themes from the feedback have been included in the upgrade, such as a pedestrian bridge over Monks Creek, connecting Monash with the facilities along Ashley Drive, and noise walls extended to the eastern side of Ashley Drive near Gowrie.
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