Belconnen Bikeway Extension is Underway

Canberra, ACT

Stage 2 construction of a Belconnen bikeway in the ACT suburb of Bruce began last month, connecting the Belconnen town centre with two tertiary education institutions.

The second stage of works features two new off-road cycle paths: along the eastern side of Haydon Drive from College Street towards Purdie Street, and on the northern side of Battye Street from Haydon Drive for the length of the road.

The Belconnen Bikeway extension is jointly funded by the Federal and ACT governments and builds on the first stage of works completed in 2020, which begins on Coulter Drive in Florey and continues along Joynton Smith Drive to the Belconnen Town Centre.

“This extension will provide a protected cycleway from the University of Canberra through the AIS and into the city, better linking two of Canberra’s major employment and residential hubs,” the ACT Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel, says in a joint statement by the Federal and ACT governments.

“We want to more Canberrans to have safe options to walk and cycle to improve our quality of life and cut congestion and emissions

“In the next few months, we’ll be releasing the ACT Government’s Draft Active Travel Plan for community consultation and input.”

The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the Belconnen Bikeway extension would enable more Canberrans to get to work, to the shops and to school more confidently and safely on their bikes.

“The Australian and ACT governments are partnering for the long term to deliver better active transport to locals across the Territory,” she added.

Stromlo Cycling Track Extension

Chris Steel last week announced construction has begun on an extension of a criterium cycling track in the ACT’s Stromlo Forrest Park.

The extension through to Uriarra Road will give event cyclists safe access to the criterium circuit, “which is already a very popular training and racing facility”.

This project will extend the track by 500 metres and provide an 80 metre link up to Stromlo Leisure Centre, enabling triathlons to make the most of both facilities.

“The new section of track is six metres wide and increases the safety for cyclists entering Stromlo Forest Park who have otherwise had to compete with cars,” he said.

“New access arrangements will avoid the need to use Dave McInnes Road, which has also become busier since the opening of the Stromlo Leisure Centre and during events at Stromlo Forest Park.”