Local contractor secures contract for ACT Monaro Hwy Upgrade Project

The Monaro Highway Upgrade Project in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has reached a significant milestone with the award of a contract for the first major package of works for the Lanyon Drive interchange. 

Local ACT-based company Woden Contractors has been awarded the detailed design and construction contract ahead of the beginning of main works next year. 

“The ACT Government is building the infrastructure our growing city needs with a contract now awarded to design and construct the new southbound flyover on the Monaro Highway at Lanyon Drive. 

“Our investment in project like this supports our growing population, improves safety and the efficient movement of people and freight. 

“The Lanyon Drive flyover is part of a program of works to improve safety on the Monaro Highway by removing dangerous at-grade intersections and separating traffic turning across the highway, in and out of the Hume industrial precinct and NSW. 

“With construction work on the project ramping up, I thank commuters in advance for their patience as we build a safer Monaro Highway,” ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said. 

The scope of this contract includes: 

• A new southbound flyover of the Monaro Highway over Lanyon Drive (including three-metre-wide sealed shoulders) 
• Upgrading of the highway road pavement from David Warren Road through to Sheppard Street (including three-metre-wide sealed shoulders) 
• A new widened bridge on the northbound carriageway over Dog Trap Creek just north of Lanyon Drive 

Early works on the project began in January 2022 with relocation and protection of two major watermains as well as telecommunication networks, which were completed in early 2023. 

Two major gas main relocations will begin this month as required ahead of major construction on the interchange. 

Once completed, the Lanyon Drive interchange works will help make Monaro Highway safer while improving travel times and supporting freight movements. 

Key features of the $70 million Lanyon Drive interchange project include: 

• New southbound flyover on the Monaro Highway over Lanyon Drive (including three-metre-wide sealed shoulders) 
• Removal of traffic lights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre intersection (David Warren Road) 
• Roundabout at the intersection of the new Monaro Highway southbound off-ramp and David Warren Road extension 
• Upgrading the signalised intersection at Lanyon Drive and Sheppard Street to four ways to include a direct connection to David Warren Road and the southbound off-ramp 
• Existing southbound carriageway removed and landscaped 

Source: City Services

The Lanyon Drive interchange will be designed to minimise the impact on existing native vegetation in the area. Landscaping plans will be finalised during the detailed design phase of the project and it will focus on local and native species, prioritising tree planting, water sensitive urban design and biodiversity conservation. 

With the contract award, detailed design will now be finalised and major construction on the interchange is due to begin in 2024, taking about three years to complete. 

“This is another example of the Albanese Labor Government and the ACT Government working together to deliver better infrastructure for our city. 

“It’s good to see this important project kicking off, after a much needed upgrade that will benefit Tuggeranong and the surrounding region in bordering NSW. 

“Both governments will continue to work together across the community and look forward to seeing more work get underway,” Federal Member for Bean David Smith said. 

Subject to environmental and other approvals, another major package of works for the Lanyon Drive interchange is planned for 2024 as well. This package of works will involve the removal of traffic lights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre and extension of David Warren Road to Lanyon Drive along with the delivery of a new roundabout and signalised intersection that connects with a new Monaro Highway off-ramp and Sheppard Street. 

Several works on the Monaro Highway Upgrade have already been completed as part of a program of works that was jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments. This includes safety improvements and new overtaking lanes on the rural section of the highway between Old Cooma Road and Williamsdale Road in the ACT. 

The overall Monaro Highway Upgrade Project will deliver safety improvements as well as intersection upgrades at key locations along the span of the highway from Johnson Drive through to the access road to the Alexander Maconochie Centre, including the intersections with Lanyon Drive and Isabella Drive and intersections with Mugga Lane, Tralee Street and Sheppard Street into Hume. 

The Monaro Highway Upgrade Project aims to improve travel times from north of Johnson Drive through to Hindmarsh Drive. The $230.5 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments and is anticipated to create approximately 700 jobs. 

“The Australian Government understands the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports growing populations, reduces congestion and improves travel times. 

“This project will provide a major economic stimulus to the Canberra and Monaro region including an estimated 700 jobs to be created during the detailed design and construction phases. 

“Projects like this are important to not only keep local people employed and businesses running, but also to provide the region’s community with better infrastructure and safer roads into the future,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; ACT Government – Built for CBR; ACT Government – City Services; Infrastructure Magazine