ACT Liberals have described the Gungahlin Drive Extension as “Labor’s iconic failure”, saying the project has taken longer to complete than the span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne’s City Link and the M7 freeway.

“After 10 years and $200 million, Canberra commuters are still yet to see a completed road,” Shadow transport services minister Alistair Coe said.

“Of the 10 years since ACT Labor came to power, approximately seven years have been spent with the road under construction.

“This is in contrast to the span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which was built almost 80 years ago within four years.

“The 40 kilometre Westlink M7 freeway, a major piece of NSW infrastructure which includes 38 overpasses and underpasses, was completed in two years.

“The 2.8 kilometre Sydney Harbour Tunnel took only four years to complete.

“In Victoria, the 22 kilometre Melbourne City Link, one of the city’s major arterial roads, was completed in four years.

“These comparisons are a stark reminder of ACT Labor’s inability to deliver major infrastructure projects on time and on budget.

“ACT Labor promised to build the road for $53 million in 2001, to be completed by 2004, yet ACT residents are still waiting.”