MEEGAN Fitzharris says work on the Cotter Road stage 2 duplication, providing a dual carriageway from west of the Tuggeranong Parkway to east of Yarralumla Creek, has begun.

“The ACT Government announced an investment of $28.9 million to duplicate the 1.7 kilometre section of Cotter Road in the 2016-17 ACT Budget to support the growth of the Molonglo Valley and Weston Creek,” Meegan said.

“Cotter Road carries over 20,000 vehicles a day and is a major thoroughfare for traffic travelling from Weston Creek through to Canberra City. The ongoing growth in this area will only increase its use and the importance of these duplication works which local residents have called for.

“A new carriageway will be constructed to the north of the existing road. The east and westbound carriageways will have two 3.5-metre lanes and a 2.5-metre on?road cycle lane.

“Noise walls will be installed adjacent to the Curtin residential area and the ACT Equestrian Park to mitigate traffic noise once the duplicated section of road is operational.

“The project will also include construction of a median to accommodate right turn lanes at the intersections that provide access to the Forest Park Riding School/horse paddocks and the Yarralumla Woolshed/ Canberra Equestrian Park facilities. This will also allow a third lane to be added to each carriageway if required in the future.

“A 3-metre wide shared path will also be constructed on the south side of Cotter Road, connecting the existing paths along Yarralumla Creek to Kirkpatrick Street.

“This upgrade will significantly increase traffic capacity and safety on this section of road and will complete the duplication of Cotter Road between Adelaide Avenue and John Gorton Drive.

“Construction contractor Huon Contractors will undertake the works which are expected to be completed in mid-2018.”