Works begin on first stage of $225m Molonglo River Bridge in the ACT

Construction is now underway on the first stage of the Molonglo River Bridge in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 

Delivering the Molonglo River Bridge and John Gorton Drive will help transform the region and better connect the northern suburbs, including Whitlam, to the rest of the Molonglo Valley. 

The first stage of works will include enabling works and realignment of the northern approach road to Coppins Crossing. These critical enabling works will not only ensure that heavy vehicles and machinery will have access to the project site, but it will also help minimise disruption to road users during the construction period. 

Main construction activities will commence once the first stage of works is completed. 

The Molonglo River Bridge project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments, with a total investment of $225 million. 

“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 region, including an estimated 560 jobs to be created during the detailed design and construction phases. 

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

The new 200-metre bridge is going to be built across the Molonglo Nature Reserve and the region’s largest river. The project will also deliver 1.7 kilometres of new arterial roads leading to the bridge along with two new intersections. 

Important active travel links such as off-road shared paths and a pedestrian underpass will also be built to encourage more Canberrans to walk or cycle to get to their destinations. 

Public transport is a key consideration in the delivery of the new bridge, with project designs leaving room for a future light rail connection. In the meantime, two new bus stops will be built as well as two queue-jump bus lanes that will pave the way for expanded rapid services in the region. 

In addition, the project will provide important habitat for native fauna including platypus nesting sites, pink-tailed work lizards, water birds and bats. 

“The project is creating more than 500 jobs during design and construction and it will improve safety on our roads whilst providing a reliable connection for Canberrans who currently travel through Coppins Crossing to Woden and West Belconnen. 

“Molonglo residents have been very vocal in their support of this project and I am sure they will be excited to see construction activities underway on site, knowing we are a step closer to delivering the necessary infrastructure this region needs. 

“We will work with the contractor to ensure Coppins Crossing remains open as much as possible as the bridge is being built. I look forward to keeping the community updated and sharing more information about the construction programming as works continue,” ACT Minister for City Services Tara Cheyne said. 

Project alignment (source: ACT Government - City Services)

The project teams for this development and the future Molonglo Group Centre are working closely to ensure the Molonglo River Bridge and the John Gorton Drive deliver the infrastructure the region needs both in transport and suburban life. 

The new bridge and road approaches are expected to open to traffic by the end of 2025. 

Last year, BMD Constructions was awarded the contract to design and build the Molonglo River Bridge and the John Gorton Drive. You can read more about the contract award here. 

“As our population grows, we’re building the right infrastructure our growing city needs, across roads, rail and active travel projects, to make sure the Canberra of the 2030s stays one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

“This investment isn’t just focused on building a new bridge over the Molonglo River, we are also constructing the lead-in roads and intersections that link in with the new suburb of Molonglo which will be the region’s commercial centre,” ACT Minister for Transport Chris Steel said. 

“The Australian Government is pleased to be partnering with the ACT Government to build the infrastructure our growing national capital needs with construction starting on this new bridge which will serve this fast-growing part of Canberra for years to come. 

“This critical project provides a long-lasting, safe, smooth and reliable link from the recently developed Molonglo region to the rest of Canberra, not only for regular traffic but for heavy vehicles which the original Coppins Crossing wasn’t designed for,” Federal Member for Bean David Smith said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; ACT Government Media Releases; ACT Government – Built for CBR (1, 2)