- A “pipeline of shovel-ready infrastructure” projects is being prepared
- Various high-use intersections, pedestrian and traffic improvements included
- Part of the target to grow ACT's employment base to 250,000
The ACT government is preparing a “pipeline of shovel-ready infrastructure” projects over the coming years, according to their Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.
“These projects kickstart the delivery of a number of election commitments and will create around 40 jobs in the design phase, with 100 estimated during construction,” said Minister Steel.
“We’re getting on with the work of consulting on and designing a shared path on Sulwood Drive between Athllon Drive and Drakeford Drive, including a pedestrian crossing at the Mannheim Street intersection to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Anyone who has walked or driven around our capital city recently would have noticed various upgrades and projects already in the works.
Safety improvements are being progressed at two high-use intersections on Streeton Drive Weston.
“Accidents and congestion are an issue at the two intersections with Heysen St and Namatjira Dr and a feasibility study will be undertaken to determine how safety can be improved such as the installation of traffic lights,” Minister Steel said.
The ACT government has also funded the detailed design of pedestrian and traffic improvements along Beltana Road in Pialligo following the release of preliminary sketch plans in late 2020.
“The design will include new paths, formalised parking spaces, traffic calming and construction of a left-in/left-out intersection from Beltana and Kallaroo Roads onto Pialligo Avenue. This funding will finalise these designs so that it can move to the construction phase.”
Significant upgrades at three local shopping centres will move a step closer to construction, with detail design funded for upgrades at Campbell, Duffy and Kaleen (Gwydir Square) shops.
“We will be releasing designs in the coming months and asking for feedback from the local communities and businesses on the upgrades to these local shopping centres,” Minister Steel said.
“These projects are important to keep Canberrans employed and will provide the Canberra community with safer roads and paths and improve our streets and shopping centres,” Minister Steel said.
The ACT Jobs and Economic Recovery plan set a target to grow its employment base to 250,000 and the Territory remains well on track to meet this commitment, said the Minister in a statement.
Safety
Meanwhile, ACT’s Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety Mick Gentleman said the government was looking at workplace safety, especially in high-risk industries such as residential construction.
“Worksafe ACT has been working hard to improve health and safety conditions for residential construction workers,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Our inspectors have conducted eight Operation Safe Prospect inspections [in] the five greenfields suburbs of Denman Prospect, Watson, Ginninderry, Taylor and Throsby. They visited 174 workplaces, issuing 210 improvement, 62 prohibition and 14 infringement notices.
“Unfortunately, we are still seeing regular non-compliance and minimal improvement across the industry. My clear message to the construction industry is that we need your help to ensure the ACT’s work sites are safe.”
