No.  3
Better roads to meet Canberra’s needs

The ACT Labor Government will duplicate the Gungahlin Drive Extension and build new roads to cut commuting times and improve access to town centres with funding provided in the 2009-10 Budget, Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope said today.  

“The ACT Labor Government will boost our investment in critical road infrastructure to tackle congestion and improve the safety of the Territory’s roads,” Mr Stanhope said. 

“Our responsible investments will reduce commuting times and help drive the economy, jobs and liveability across the Territory.”

The Gungahlin Drive Extension will be duplicated from the Barton Highway to Glenloch Interchange with $83 million provided in this Budget. 

“This crucial road infrastructure will ease traffic congestion for up to 20,000 vehicles during peak periods and significantly improve access to Gungahlin’s growing community, which is expected to double over the next 20 years,” Mr Stanhope said.

“To cater for new residential areas in North Gungahlin we will extend Clarrie Hermes Drive from Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls to the Barton Highway at a cost of $21 million.  Funding of $10.5 million is being provided in the 2009-10 Budget to extend Mulligans Flat Road from Jessie Street, Forde to the NSW border.  This is part of a project that will also see $3 million provided for three water quality control ponds at Forde. 

The Budget provides an additional $12.5 million over two years towards the construction of John Gorton Drive.  The new arterial road, funded in the 2008-09 Budget, will provide trunk access to the suburbs of Wright and Coombs in Molonglo. 

“With the Federal Government and NSW Government, we will jointly fund improvements to the Kings Highway.  Our $3.5 million share will increase the safety of this crucial thoroughfare for Canberrans travelling to and from the south coast.  We will also invest $3.5 million towards the final stage of the Lanyon Drive duplication,” Mr Stanhope said.

Other highlights in the Budget include:
•	$11 million for the construction of the Bonner Western Distributor and sewer extension.  The new road will provide access into the western side of Bonner and eastern side of the proposed suburb of Jacka; 
•	$7 million for the extension of Wells Station Drive from Turtle Rock Street, Harrison to Horse Park Drive to provide access to the southern section of Harrison and the proposed suburb of Kenny; 
•	$9 million for the extension of Sandford Street from Flemington Road, Mitchell to Antill Street, Watson to provide arterial road access into the eastern section of Mitchell and into the southern section of the proposed suburb of Kenny; and
•	$300,000 for a study into parking supply and demand in major town and group centres.

5 May 2009
Media Contact: 	Jess Wurf	6205 0504 (w) 	0411 772 700 (m)