The detailed design and construction contract for the Monaro Highway Upgrade Project, at the Lanyon Drive-interchange, has been awarded – representing a $70 million investment in the highway.
The contract has been awarded to local Australian Capital Territory company, Woden Contractors, marking a major milestone for the project which is expected to start in 2024.
This contract aims to make the highway safer, improve travel times and support freight movements.
The contract includes:
- A new southbound flyover of the Monaro Highway over Lanyon Drive (including 3m wide sealed shoulders)
- Upgrading of the highway road pavement from David Warren Road through to Sheppard Street (including 3m wide sealed shoulders)
- A new widened bridge on the northbound carriageway over Dog Trap Creek just north of Lanyon Drive
Another major package of works for the interchange is planned for 2024, subject to environmental and other approvals.
This will include the removal of traffic lights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre and extension of David Warren Road to Lanyon Drive, with a new roundabout and signalised intersection connecting with a new Monaro Highway off-ramp and Sheppard Street.
The Lanyon Drive interchange is being designed to minimise the impact on existing native vegetation in the area.
The landscaping plans are set to be finalised during the detailed design phase and focus on local and native species, prioritising tree planting, water sensitive urban design and biodiversity conservation.
Detailed design will soon be finalised with major construction works expected to start in 2024 and take around three years to complete.
Previous works on the Monaro Highway Upgrade have already been completed as part of a program of works jointly funded between the Federal and Australian Capital Territory Governments.
This includes completed safety improvements and new overtaking lanes on the rural section of the Monaro Highway between Old Cooma Road and Williamsdale Road.
Extensive utility works, which started in January 2022, have also been completed near Lanyon Drive in preparation for the flyover, including relocation and protection of major watermains and telecommunication networks.
The relocation of two gas mains is expected to be completed in the coming months, which are necessary before main construction works get underway on the new Lanyon interchange.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that the Federal Government understands the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports growing populations, reduces congestion and improves travel times.
“This project will provide a major economic stimulus to the Canberra and Monaro region including an estimated 700 jobs to be created during the detailed design and construction phases,” Ms King said.
“Projects like this are important to not only keep local people employed and businesses running, but also to provide the region’s community with better infrastructure and safer roads into the future.”
ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel, said that the Australian Capital Territory Government is building the infrastructure its growing city needs.
“Our investment in projects like this supports our growing population, improves safety and the efficient movement of people and freight,” Mr Steel said.
“The Lanyon Drive flyover is part of a program of works to improve safety on the Monaro Highway by removing dangerous at-grade intersections and separating traffic turning across the highway, in and out of the Hume industrial precinct and New South Wales.
“With construction work on the project ramping up, I thank commuters in advance for their patience as we build a safer Monaro Highway.”
Federal Member for Bean, David Smith, said that this is another example of the Federal and ACT Government working together to deliver better infrastructure for Canberra.
“It’s good to see this important project kicking off, after a much needed upgrade that will benefit Tuggeranong and the surrounding region bordering New South Wales,” Mr Smith said.
“Both governments will continue to work together across the community and look forward to seeing more work get underway.”
