Released 21/01/2018
The total number of crashes at the Barton Highway/Gundaroo Drive/William Slim Drive intersection has reduced by almost 50 per cent following the intersection’s upgrade, which included the introduction of traffic lights.
Up to 46,000 vehicles that travel through the Barton Highway intersection each day benefited from the intersection’s upgrade which was completed in April 2017. The $10 million upgrade was fully funded by the Australian Government under the Roads to Recovery Program as part of its investment in better and safer roads throughout the ACT.
“Between January and December 2017 a total of 47 accidents were reported at the intersection compared to an average of approximately 100 accidents per year from 2012-2015 prior to works starting,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Meegan Fitzharris.
“The upgrade has delivered a big improvement for motorist’s safety and since the traffic lights became operational in December 2016 there have been no complaints regarding delays or queuing at the intersection.
“While the introduction of traffic lights to an intersection with a roundabout configuration took a while for motorists to get used to, the arrangement has significantly improved travel through the intersection, particularly for Crace residents,” Minister Fitzharris said.
The upgrade included signalisation of the intersection and an additional lane on all four of its approaches and through the intersection. The traffic signals have been coordinated to control traffic flows through the intersection and to balance the changing demands throughout the day.
The intersection improvements also provided on-road improvements for cyclists passing through the intersection on three approaches to the intersection. Cyclists approaching the intersection on the Barton Highway from the west have been taking advantage of the new shared path bridge.
The improvements also included a bus priority lane through the roundabout in the east/west direction linking the Gungahlin and Belconnen town centres.
“Further analysis of the performance of the intersection will continue to be undertaken in 2018 including crash data and travel patterns.
“The range of roadworks across the Gungahlin district impact the travel patterns of drivers through the network, so full appreciation of the impact and effectiveness of the intersection improvements will not be clear until these works are completed,” Minister Fitzharris concluded.
For information on the road upgrade projects underway in Gungahlin visit www.tccs.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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