Construction begins on $200M Monaro Highway upgrades

Construction of the first stage of the Monaro Highway upgrades in Canberra is set to begin this month.

The upgrade will include the construction of a new two-kilometre northbound overtaking lane between Williamsdale Road and Royalla Drive.

A wider median strip will be built between the north and southbound lanes and safety barriers will be installed along the left side of the road in both directions.

The upgrades also includes a new left-hand turn lane for southbound traffic at the intersection of Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road.

Construction of the first stage of upgrades is expected to finish ahead of the 2020 snow season, weather permitting.

Design works are also underway for further safety improvements and intersection upgrades along the Monaro Highway, including the Lanyon Drive intersection.

ACT Minister for Roads and Active Travel Chris Steel said the lack of safe overtaking opportunities on the Monaro Highway had been a cause of accidents, including fatalities.

“This is just the beginning of the work we’re doing on the Monaro Highway to make our roads safer for Canberrans travelling around our city,” Mr. Steel said.

“Canberra is a growing city and we are investing in infrastructure now to ensure we don’t have congested roads in the future.”