Page 1410 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016
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means that the full benefits of this project can now be realised. In a national context, the Majura Parkway is now part of the national highway network and is an important freight route linking the Federal, Barton and Monaro highways.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you for interrupting, Mr Coe. Ms Fitzharris.
MS FITZHARRIS: Improved productivity for freight traffic is important—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Coe, I warn you.
MS FITZHARRIS: for the national economy and by 2030 the Majura Parkway is forecast to carry around 40,000 vehicles a day, including up to 6,000 trucks. These trucks will now be able to take a direct pathway through Canberra.
In an ACT capital region context, the Majura Parkway provides improved access to the Canberra Airport and the developing transport hub. Locally, the Majura Parkway adds valuable additional capacity to the arterial road network in the vicinity of the airport precinct, as well as for residents in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and everywhere in between.
Initially, when the first stage was opened in May 2015, some 20,000 vehicles used the road, enabling the existing Majura Road to operate as a service road for the airport precinct. Perhaps one of the most impressive benefits for the community is having travel times for all traffic using the Majura Parkway slashed by up to 20 minutes when compared to the previous routes via Majura Road. Delays at the busy intersections along Morshead Drive and Fairbairn Avenue will also be reduced, thanks to the grade separation of these roads and the Majura Parkway.
Cyclists will also benefit by having access to new on-road cycle lanes included as part of the Majura Parkway, as well as access to the new off-road shared path, which will also be used by pedestrians and by equestrians who agist horses in paddocks off Fairbairn Avenue. I was very pleased that the ACT government could commit an additional $10 million for the off-road shared user path and a further $7 million from the roads to recovery program for additional Federal Highway interchange works. These improvements mean more active travel options along this route running parallel to the Majura Parkway from the Federal Highway to Morshead Drive.
The Royal Military College No 1 Oval, one of the oldest ovals in Canberra, has also been upgraded as a result of the project. The oval had fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years, and during the construction phase of the parkway project had been used as a stockpile site. With the completion of the parkway, the oval has been restored to its former glory as a cricket ground. The scope of this restoration included building a new pavilion, levelling and laying a new field and wicket, provision of an irrigation system for future management of the oval, provision of a new white picket fence, and lighting, parking and associated landscaping.
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