Current update
Construction procurement is underway for the first stage of construction being the section along Torrens Street between Cooyong Street and Ipima Street. We anticipate beginning works on site in May 2024. An update on construction timeframes will be provided following the award of contract.
If you’d like to stay updated on this project, email communityengagement@act.gov.au.
Page last reviewed 05 Apr 2024
Project description
Construction procurement is underway on Garden City cycle route.
Walking, cycling and other forms of active travel like scooting are at the centre of our plans to make Canberra an even more liveable and sustainable city.
The Garden City Cycle Route will provide a safe and functional cycle route for inner north Canberra through the suburbs located to the east of Northbourne Avenue.
Using a variety of streets and places, the route will accommodate both cyclists on local trips and visitors exploring the city. The Garden City Cycle Route will use existing streets to link 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. The route will connect schools, local centres and green spaces.
Design treatments
The Garden City Cycle Route is currently proposed to include sections of three-metre wide shared path in the verge which has the least constraints for construction (i.e. utilities, existing trees/landscaping, driveway crossings). The three-metre wide shared path also is proposed to run through sections of open space and green space, better connecting key locations in the surrounding suburbs.
Some of the segment designs remain subject to further investigations due to existing site constraints.
We are also proposing to trial an active street environment along Sherbrooke Street which is currently well-used by commuters as an on-road cycle route to access the city and other parts of the inner north.
What are active streets?
Active streets are designed to:
- create a safe mixed-use road environment enabling cyclists, micro-mobility users and vehicles to all use the street environment together
- create streets which encourage residents to walk, play and use their streets as community spaces.
What makes an active street?
Active streets may include:
- raised concrete areas or pavement treatments at the entry to a street to signal a change in street environment
- concrete islands, landscaping or pavement treatments used to create short one-lane sections to encourage shared environment
- landscaping and other features to assist in promoting an area that is used for all types of safe travel and mobility
- line marking, bike sharrows (two chevrons painted above a bicycle symbol on the road pavement), pavement treatments or wording to communicate shared environment and priority for cyclists and pedestrians.
The Garden City Cycle Route is comprised of seven segments
- Segment 1: Cooyong Street
- Segment 2: Torrens Street - Cooyong Street to Ijong Street
- Segment 3: Ijong Street - Torrens Street to Angas Street/Limestone Avenue intersection
- Segment 4: Angas Street – Limestone Avenue to Majura Avenue via Ainslie Oval
- Segment 5: Majura Avenue – Ainslie Oval to Hawdon Street
- Segment 6(a): Majura Avenue/Phillip Avenue
- Segment 6(b): Majura Avenue/Hawdon Place/Frencham Street/Bradfield Street/Windeyer Street
- Segment 7: Knox Street to Antill Street via Simpson Street playground and Aspinall Street
Construction: Stage 1
In the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the ACT Government matched the $5 million committed by the Australian Government for detailed design and construction of the first stage of the route. This includes segments one to four being the connections between the City and Braddon from Cooyong Street, along Torrens and Ijong streets and along Angas Street to Majura Avenue.
Stage 1 has been split as follows:
- Torrens Street between Cooyong Street and Ipima Street
- Torrens Street from Ipima Street to Ijong Street and along Ijong Street to Limestone Avenue
- Angas Street between Limestone Avenue and Majura Avenue
- Cooyong Street.
Torrens Street between Cooyong Street and Ipima Street
This is the first part of the route to be constructed. It includes both the shared path and new raised zebra crossings.
A new 3-metre wide concrete shared path will be constructed in the eastern verge of Torrens Street. The existing concrete path will be removed and replaced by the shared path. Where the route crosses driveways, sections of the driveway will be treated with a black coloured pavement marking and line marking used to alert of the driveway crossing point. In addition, six new raised concrete zebra crossings will be constructed along the route at the crossing points on Torrens Street (near Cooyong Street), Elouera Street, Girrahween Street, Henty Street, Helemon Street and Ipima Street. You can take a look at the detailed drawing here.
Construction procurement is underway. We anticipate beginning on-site in May 2024. An update on construction timeframes will be provided following the award of contract.
Stay updated
If you’d like to stay updated on this project, bookmark this page or email us at communityengagement@act.gov.au to be included on any project updates.
Frequently asked questions
What is different from the City and Gateway Urban Design Framework?
The City and Gateway Urban Design Framework proposed a route for the Garden City Cycle Route. The below table sets out the differences between it and the now preferred route.
Change | Reasoning |
|---|
Use of Aspinall Street and Roma Mitchell Crescent rather than Negus Crescent and Ada Evans Street. | The road reserve width on Negus Crescent and Ada Evans Street limits the ability to provide a suitable facility. There are also increased access locations and roadside activity that increase conflict points. The use of Aspinall Street and Roma Mitchell Crescent addresses these elements. |
Alternative route to Cowper Street and Bonney Street. | Bonney Street has multiple access points in comparison with alternative alignments. |
Use of Torrens Street rather than Lonsdale Street. | Commercial activity (pedestrians and vehicles) along Lonsdale Street, including parking demand, would impact the ability to provide an unimpeded facility. Connecting paths can be provided in the future. |
How was the alignment determined by the ACT Government?
The City and Gateway Urban Design Framework (December 2018) identified a preliminary alignment for the Garden City Cycle Route. This alignment was further investigated by the ACT Government to understand potential cycling routes between Watson and the City.
A feasibility study was undertaken to review the previously identified route alignments and consider the constraints and opportunities present along the route to ultimately determine an achievable route. A preliminary design has now been completed to confirm the preferred route, propose intersection treatments and consider urban design and landscape elements to ensure careful consideration of all elements of the proposed route.
What engagement has been undertaken to date with key stakeholders?
During the feasibility study and preliminary design stage, several consultation sessions were held with key stakeholders and information was gathered through a series of route alignment rides, workshops and presentations to the residents group. Stakeholders included representatives from advocacy groups and inner north community groups.
Broader engagement was undertaken with the community following the release of the preliminary designs in October 2023. Two pop-up information sessions were held and a ride along was held on Saturday 11 November 2023 in partnership with Pedal Power.
Will cyclists and pedestrians be separated along the alignment?
The proposed infrastructure will be a shared path for the most part. In high activity and conflict areas, separation will be provided if considered necessary and practicable within site constraints.
Why are the paths only three-metres wide?
The proposed path is to be constructed in a developed urban environment and consequently there are many physical constraints that restrict the width of path to the minimum recommended. These constraints include verge widths, driveways, trees, and services infrastructure including streetlight and power poles. Three metre paths will still provide plenty of room to allow people to share the space.
Will the paths be concrete or asphalt?
The paths will be constructed of asphalt where possible but may be obliged to be concrete in areas for reasons of urban design, ground conditions or tree root management.
The ACT Government has completed preliminary designs for the full Garden City Cycle Route from the City through to Watson.
In the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the first stage of works consisting of segments one to four was funded for detailed design and construction over three years.
Further detailed design and construction of segments five to seven is subject to future funding opportunities.
The route is proposed to cross my driveway. What kind of engagement can I expect from the ACT Government?
Ahead of the construction phase, letterbox drops will be carried out to those residents and businesses located along the route. There will be an opportunity to meet with the project team on site to understand what the alignment is and how it interacts with your property and what temporary changes there may be for property access during construction.
The ACT Government has released the Active Travel Plan and Design Guide. How does this project align with these two documents?
The Active Travel Plan proposes a vision of more people walking and cycling more often and identifies priorities for strengthening active travel and improving quality of life. The Garden City Cycle Route addresses many of these priorities including through the provision of safe infrastructure for walking and cycling, providing a network for walking and cycling that is better connected and making active travel easier.
The Design Guide provides guidance and examples to help practitioners aspire to best practice design of urban intersections and streets to support all transport including active travel infrastructure.
The Garden City Cycle Route project aspires to best practice and will be guided by the current infrastructure standards and documents and will implement Safety in Design assessments to achieve safe and functional outcomes.
