More footpath and road safety improvements are now underway across Canberra as part of the Government’s economic survival package supporting local businesses and ensuring Canberrans are in jobs to keep our city going. Minister for Roads and Active Travel, Chris Steel, today released details of a further 20 projects that form part of the path and road safety upgrades included in the ACT Government’s $9.75 million investment to fast track small scale infrastructure projects and support the construction industry during COVID-19.
“These are projects identified by the community, that were originally planned to be built over a period of years. Now we’re building them over a period of months to create jobs at time we need them most,” Minister Steel commented.
Last month Minister Steel announced that the ACT Government is delivering ‘screwdriver-ready’ projects. These are projects we have prioritised where construction can commence quickly, and included foot and cycle path upgrades, improvements to road safety and urban and open spaces, as well as upgrades to Domestic Animal Services, Transport Canberra depots and waste facilities.
“This latest list of path projects, that will be built under the program, will see upgrades from Nicholls in the North through to Isabella Plains in the South,” Minister Steel commented “The improvements range from widening existing paths, completing missing links in the network and providing better access to key locations including schools and bus stops. More than 20 path projects have now been announced, with over six kilometres being added to our community path network. We will also be completing a number of road safety upgrades including pedestrian crossings and refuges, speed humps and signage around suburbs including Belconnen, Deakin, Oxley and Weston.”
“Last week we completed the first of our projects, including a missing link in the network at Annabelle View in Coombs. We anticipate finishing a further five locations by the end of May.” Minister Steel commented “These projects are creating work and keeping jobs in the construction industry. As contracts are signed and further projects are confirmed, we will continue to generate more work for the industry and ensure our city keeps going through this difficult period.
The Minister noted that one of the upsides of the pandemic is that we’re seeing more people getting out walking and cycling and we hope this program further encourages active lifestyles as a positive legacy for many years to come.