From public data, we know that in the ACT $1.3 billion will be spent on road widening or duplication projects between 2020 and 2040. These projects are completed, planned or coming. 2 of the projects are already completed, most are already funded, and a further 3 big-ticket items are planned in the next decade or 2. That is just what we know now – watch this space!
How much have we learnt in the last 2 years in the Molonglo Valley? Well, there is an increasing push for widening or duplicating roads, à la “my SUV, my road, my right to drive”. With a bit of luck our urban sprawl might slow down, but currently it is questionable that Canberra’s appetite for SUVs and road duplications will decrease.
We can then consider Minister Steel’s comments today (24 March 2022). He said at the ACT Legislative Assembly that $43 million will be spent on Active Travel projects. That really does not sound like much compared to the number cited above. Research shows that low cycling countries notoriously underinvest in cycle infrastructure.
| Project | Value (Million) |
| In the budget or complete | $947 |
| Coming | $375 |
| Total | $1322 |
Road widening and duplications: In the budget or completed
We have updated on 22 March 2022 the original table from 7 August 2021 with more recent data from the Question Time Brief, Road Duplications and Upgrades, 12/10/2021 (obtained through FOI 21-111 final briefs Ministers Budget Estimates 2021-22, 20211103). The estimate of road widening and duplications is now $947 million, down from $986 million estimate from 7 August 2021. This table is discussed in more detail in the article Analysis: ACT cycling investment just 1%.
| Project | Value (million) | Completed | Part Federal funded | State | Source |
| Monaro Highway | $231 | no | yes 50% | ACT | QTB |
| Athllon Drive | $80 | no | yes | ACT | QTB |
| William Hovell Drive | $65 | 2026 | $26.5 | ACT | QTB |
| Gundaroo Drive Stage 3 | $55 | 2023 | yes | ACT | QTB |
| John Gorton Drive | $176 | 2025 | yes 50% | ACT | QTB |
| Gundaroo Drive Gungahlin | $30 | completed | yes | ACT | RiotACT |
| East Gungahlin road works | $17 | no | ACT | QTB | |
| Canberra Brickworks | $8 | no | ACT | QTB | |
| Barton Highway | $200 | no | NSW | RiotACT | |
| Ellerton Drive | $86 | completed | NSW | RiotACT | |
| Total | $947 |
Coming
These projects have been announced for the next decade or 2.
| Project | Value Million | Time Frame years | Federal Funding | State | Source |
| East West Arterial road and bridge | $228 | 20 | ACT | 2021 Molonglo East-West Arterial Road Feasibility Study | |
| Bindubi Street / William Hovell Drive Interchange | $47 | 20 | ACT | 2021 Molonglo East-West Arterial Road Feasibility Study | |
| Canberra South-West Corridor Upgrade | $100 | 10 | likely | ACT | QTB, FOI 21-111 |
| Total | $375 |
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