$137m Commonwealth Avenue Bridge upgrade in ACT to support 700 jobs

Canberra’s Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is up for a much-needed upgrade with the Australian Government investing approximately $137 million towards the delivery of this important infrastructure project in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 

“This investment ensures this important piece of infrastructure can continue to function safely for the next 50 years and beyond. 

“This investment will also back Canberra’s construction workforce and economy at a critical time, with the bridge expected to create more than 700 jobs,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said. 

Minister McCormack also said that majority of the materials – such as steel and concrete – to be used on the project will be locally manufactured in Australia. 

The upgrade on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will greatly improve safety for all road users as well as pedestrians. 

The proposed scope of the project includes: 

• Strengthening the bridge to match the load rating of the feeder road network 
• Widening the existing road carriageway to 10.7 metres (comprising two 3.7-metre-wide outside traffic lanes and a 3.3-metre-wide centre traffic lane) 
• Widening active transport paths by 2.6 metres – from 2.4 metres to 5 metres clear width – to be consistent with Austroad standards 
• Installation of medium performance, low transmitted force barriers, with a deisgn that has negated the need for additional strengthening of the carriageways 
• Upgrading access pathways to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 

The upgrade is set to interact with the Light Rail Stage 2 project, which will possibly be accommodated on a separate structure in the middle of the bridge spans. The Light Rail Stage 2 project is going to be assessed through a separate business case. 

“The Commonwealth Avenue Bridge upgrade, which will be delivered by the National Capital Authority, will strengthen the bridge to prevent structural damage, widen the pedestrian pathways and replace the vehicle safety barriers to improve road safety. 

“It is infrastructure projects such as these that make a real difference for the day to day lives of Canberrans and of course for local jobs and the economy at this vital time, which is why we are pleased to confirm federal funding will flow,” Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said. 

Project location (source: Infrastructure Australia)

The $137 million funding for the bridge upgrade is part of the more than $1.3 billion in new investments that was announced for the ACT by the Australian Government. 

Senator Seselja added: “This is what the Australian Government’s $110 billion nationwide infrastructure investment program is all about: getting Australians home sooner and safer while creating jobs and economic stimulus to lay the economic foundations for recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has welcomed the funding injection for the upgrade of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. 

“The upgrade will ensure that the bridge will continue to operate as a critical piece of our city’s transport infrastructure for decades to come. 

“This project will stimulate our local economy and support the jobs and livelihoods of Canberrans,” Minister Barr said. 

The $137 million Commonwealth Avenue Bridge upgrade is fully funded by the Australian Government. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; The Canberra Times; Infrastructure Australia