ACT Parkes Way Upgrade and south-west corridor improvements
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Project summary
Parkes Way is Canberra’s central east-west corridor for freight movement and passenger travel. Congestion along Parkes Way is a major concern due to high traffic volumes, as commuters from the outer suburbs travel to the job centres in the east including the Canberra Airport/Brindabella Business Park, freight precincts in Fyshwick and Hume, and through to Queanbeyan – Palerang industrial areas beyond the ACT border.
With the increase in population, through land releases in the west of Canberra and the densification of our city centres - traffic on Parkes Way is anticipated to keep increasing.
The South-West Corridor includes the Tuggeranong Parkway, which is part of the ACT Orbital Freight Network and connects the northern and southern suburbs of Canberra. The Glenloch Interchange, where the Parkway meets with Caswell Drive, William Hovell Drive and, Parkes Way is one of the most significant strategic transport interchanges in the ACT transport network, facilitating both north-south and east-west movements.
Both these projects will identify strategies for improving accessibility, connectivity and safety along the relevant corridor, and promote more efficient freight connections within the ACT and the Canberra region. Subject to planning outcomes, the Canberra South West Corridor upgrade package is also expected to deliver upgrades to the Parkway, as well as improvements to intersections and feeder roads along the corridor.
| Details at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Action Area | Smarter and targeted infrastructure investment; Enable improved supply chain efficiency; Better planning, regulation and coordination; and, Better freight location and performance data. |
| Delivery | Road infrastructure upgrade (design and construction). Undertake Traffic modelling (microsimulation) and option study (Parkes Way and south west corridor). |
| Location | ACT. |
| Timeframe |
Parkes Way Upgrade – Planning and Design: 2021-2031. Canberra – South West Corridor upgrade package: Project timeframe is 2020 – 2032 and construction timeframe is 2025 – 2031. |
| Financial | $5 million for Parkes Way Upgrade – Planning and Design ($2.5 million Australian Government; $2.5 million ACT Government). $100 million for Canberra – South West Corridor Upgrade Package ($50 million Australian Government; $50 million ACT Government). |
Closer look
Impact on freight and supply chains
The Parkes Way Upgrade – Planning and Design Project will support freight in the Canberra Region by considering improving east-west connectivity through Parkes Way (one of four potential secondary east-west freight corridors to be assessed as part of the corridor plan). Freight will be further supported through any enhancements that improve travel times and reduce congestion on the south west corridor as this route is part of the B-double network in the ACT. The ACT East-West Regional Freight Network is listed on the Infrastructure Australia Priority List as part of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy initiative.
| Anticipated benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Smarter and targeted infrastructure investment | The initiatives identified and/or delivered will improve the resilience of the freight network and ensure that domestic and international supply chains are serviced by efficient east-west key freight corridors. |
| Enable improved supply chain efficiency | The projects aim to improve supply chain efficiency by identifying preferred freight movement options while optimising the connection with the airport and the orbital freight network. |
| Better planning, regulation and coordination | Both projects contribute to planning and maintaining the nationally significant freight routes in the ACT and endeavour to enhance both freight capacity and network resilience. |
| Better freight location and performance data | A microsimulation traffic model will provide clarity on traffic and community impacts because of delivering the future construction projects. |
Project delivery
Delivery model
The project will have multiple components including:
- Corridor study including traffic modelling and feasibility study
- Traffic and road safety incident data
- PSP design development
- Stormwater catchment study (cross drainage)
Open tender and single select are both feasible delivery options and the determination will be dependent on the estimated value of each component.
Stakeholder engagement
Public consultation is considered to inform selected components to address community concerns. This project includes a high level of inter-Directorate and utility authority liaison to ensure appropriate interface with adjacent development and utility services requirements. As partial asset owner and the approving authority, the National Capital Authority (NCA) is involved at all decision-making points of the project.