Construction starts on Canberra's Garden City Cycleway

The Australian and ACT Governments are working together to build the walking and cycling infrastructure our growing capital needs, with work starting on Canberra’s Garden City Cycleway. 

The new active transport route will better connect the suburbs of the inner north with the City, reducing traffic congestion and shaping a liveable, sustainable city. 

Positioned east of Northbourne Avenue, it will run through Watson, Downer, Hackett, Dickson, Ainslie and Braddon before joining Canberra’s main cycling network on Bunda and Allara streets.

It will mirror the highly used Sullivans Creek path on the western side of Northbourne Avenue.

The first stage of works will deliver the new cycleway from Cooyong Street in Braddon through to Angas Street in Ainslie.

The first construction package for these works will be along Torrens Street and will deliver a four-metre-wide concrete walking and cycling path in the eastern verge of Torrens Street from Cooyong Street to Henty Street, as well as a three-metre-wide path continuing from Henty Street to Ijong Street in Braddon. 

The existing concrete path will be removed and replaced, and six new raised concrete zebra crossings will be constructed along the route for safe passage. 

The $10 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments, with each committing $5 million. It is part of a wider initiative from the two Labor Governments to build active, sustainable and well-connected cities. 

Procurement is underway for the next two construction packages, which will include works along Torrens Street, Ijong Street and Angas Street, including new traffic lights at the Limestone Avenue / Ijong Street intersection. 

Construction of the first Torrens Street package is expected to take around seven months to complete and be open for use in early 2025. 

For more information, visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au/Infrastructure-Projects.

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

“The Albanese Government is investing in infrastructure that supports growing populations, reduces congestion, and gets more people outside and active.

“That is why we have committed $5 million to improve cycling infrastructure in Canberra’s inner north, and why we’re investing $100 million into a new, national Active Transport Fund to build cities and regions which are liveable, sustainable and well-connected.”

Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr:

“The Garden City Cycleway will connect Canberrans to schools, local health centres, businesses and green spaces from Watson to the city.

“More people reside in the city and gateway corridor along Northbourne Avenue than ever, and the surrounding inner north suburbs are continuing to grow. Building a network of streets and public spaces that supports active travel will help to prevent congestion now and in the future.  

“The Garden City Cycleway delivers on these objectives by providing safer infrastructure for walking and cycling, improving the existing network to make it better connected and easier for Canberrans to choose active travel.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Canberra Alicia Payne: 

“It is great to see the Australian and ACT governments working together to provide quality infrastructure to our community.

“The Garden City Cycleway will provide a safe cycle route connecting Watson, Downer, Hackett, Dickson, Ainslie and Braddon with the city, making Canberra an even more liveable and sustainable city than it already is.”

Quotes attributable to ACT Minister for City Services Tara Cheyne:

“This project will deliver new and upgraded infrastructure along the existing streets linking Watson, Downer, Hackett, Dickson, Ainslie and Braddon before connecting to the city and lake edge via the inner-city cycle loop on Bunda and Allara Streets.

“We have been liaising with residents and businesses within the impacted area for this first phase of construction works and will continue to do so throughout the construction period to minimise impacts to them as much as possible.

“This is just one part of our significant active travel infrastructure investment with a forward program of more than $94 million delivering new and upgraded infrastructure for Canberrans.”