Canberrans are invited to be among the first to walk across the new Molonglo River Bridge at a community open day on Saturday 5 December 2026.

The event will provide a unique opportunity to experience the bridge on foot before it opens to traffic in January 2027.

For one morning only, visitors can walk across both sides of the bridge at their own pace and learn more about the project’s engineering and sustainability, all while taking in views of the Molonglo Valley. There will also be food, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

To help plan a safe and successful community open day, attendees are strongly encouraged to register for the event, which will assist organisers to ensure adequate transport and services are available on the day.

To access the site, community members are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttle bus loop services that will operate from Belconnen and Woden interchanges.

Following the event, final works on the road and shared paths will be completed ahead of the bridge’s official opening early next year.

Jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments, the new Molonglo River Bridge will better connect communities on both sides of the Molonglo River and provide a safer, more resilient transport connection during major weather and flood events. The completion of John Gorton Drive, including the Molonglo River Bridge, will also support land releases across the Molonglo Valley.

When completed, the 200-metre-long Molonglo River Bridge will be one of the longest weathering steel bridges in Australia, and the tallest road bridge in Canberra.

The $226.2 million Molonglo River Bridge project includes 1.7 kilometres of new road connections, intersections and infrastructure supporting walking, cycling and public transport, as well as connections to the future Molonglo Town Centre.

Further information and registrations are available at www.act.gov.au/bridgewalk.

Quotes attributable to Hon Catherine King, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government:

"The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure that supports the ACT's growing population, reduces congestion and improves travel times.

"With works on the bridge almost complete, this will better connect suburbs across Canberra's west and provide more reliable connections to local services.

“With the bridge set to open to traffic early next year, this event marks an important milestone that Canberrans can be a part of!”

Quotes attributable to Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for Transport City and Government Services:

“For years, getting across the Molonglo at Coppins Crossing has meant checking whether the river was over the road. This bridge ends that.

“I sincerely thank Canberrans for their patience throughout and enthusiasm for this project. Before it’s officially complete and open to traffic, we want to give Canberrans the chance to walk out onto it and see this engineering feat up close and at your own pace.

“The centre span is 80 metres, making it the longest weathering steel span in the southern hemisphere. The girders went up in lifts of up to 80 metres and 265 tonnes, on one of only two cranes of its size in Australia, and the final sections were bolted together in mid-air above the river.

“To help make the day a success for everyone, please register your attendance and make use of the free shuttles.”