SHANE Rattenbury says work has commenced to connect Constitution Avenue to Vernon Circle as part of the Constitution Avenue upgrade project.

“Works are progressing well on the Constitution Avenue project, with a number of trees being planted this week, you can already start to see the vision of the project taking shape,” Shane said.

“Constitution Avenue is transforming into more than just a road, it will become an open boulevard with improved pedestrian, cycling and public transport access and landscaping designed to improve the visual amenity to bring more life to this part of the city.

“Thirty mature trees have already been planted along the Avenue and over 200 more will be planted including English oaks on the north and south verges, pencil pines in the median and crepe myrtles in select locations.

“The next stage of works will connect Constitution Avenue to Vernon Circle, providing a direct link from Russell to the centre of the city.

“Those travelling from the eastern side of the city will have direct access to Vernon Circle and the south of Canberra. Access from the Legislative Assembly and Canberra Theatre car parks to Vernon Circle will also be improved.

“To allow the connection to Vernon Circle, a set of traffic lights will be installed at the Vernon Circle and Constitution Avenue intersection. These signals will be synchronised with the lights at the Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit intersection to allow traffic to flow through the intersection.

“Landscaping works and shared path connections between Constitution Avenue and Vernon Circle were already planned as part of the $42 million Constitution Avenue upgrade which was funded by the Australian Government in celebration of Canberra’s centenary. I’m pleased the connection can now be completed with an additional $2.8 million in funding committed by the ACT Government.

“The works on the extension to Vernon Circle are expected to be completed as part of the current construction works between Anzac Parade and London Circuit by July 2016.

The focus of the current stage of works for Constitution Avenue is on the new southern carriageway and southern verge improvements. This stage of work is anticipated to be completed in December 2015 (weather permitting).

Construction will then transfer to the northern carriageway and traffic will move onto the new southern carriageway in a temporary two way arrangement.