As part of the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, the ACT Government will improve pedestrian and road safety at 19 intersections across Canberra.

The majority of traffic signals in the ACT incorporate full red arrow control for right turning movements, which minimises the risk of right-through vehicular accidents and right turn conflicts with pedestrians.

At some intersections there is no red arrow control for right turning movements. This means drivers can turn right through these intersections at the same time as pedestrians and cyclists might be crossing, creating a risk of conflict.

This project will install new dedicated right-turn red arrows at selected intersections, listed below. These changes briefly hold turning vehicles at the stop line while pedestrians and cyclists begin crossing, reducing the chance of collisions and improving visibility between all road users.

Intersections receiving right-turn arrow improvements

Central Canberra

• Cooyong Street/Mort Street
• Bunda Street/Akuna Street
• National Circuit/Sydney Avenue
• Captain Cook Crescent/Stuart Street/Murray Crescent
• Marcus Clarke Street/University Avenue
• Marcus Clarke Street/Allsop Street
• Anzac Parade/Blamey Crescent/Currong Street
• King Edward Terrace/Langton Crescent
• King Edward Terrace/Parkes Place
• Wakefield Avenue/Dooring Street

Tuggeranong

• Anketell Street/Pitman Street
• Anketell Street/Reed Street
• Anketell Street/Cowlishaw Street
• Anketell Street/Oakden Street
• Soward Way/Scollay Street
• Scollay Street/Reid Street

Belconnen

• Lathlain Street/Weedon Close/Chan Street

Gungahlin

• Francis Forde Boulevard/Amy Ackman Street/Zakharov Avenue

Construction was completed in December 2021 to install traffic lights at two intersections along Southern Cross Drive as part of the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program. The intersections are:

• Southern Cross Drive and Ross Smith Crescent, Scullin/Florey
• Southern Cross Drive and Chewings Street, Scullin/Page.

Road crashes are a major cost to Australians every year. Black Spot projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring. By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the program reduces the risk of crashes.

Crash statistics

A total of 69 collisions occurred in the five-year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016 along Southern Cross Drive between Kingsford Smith Drive and Coulter Drive. These included one fatality and seven injury collisions. It was based on these statistics that these intersections were identified for traffic lights.

However in the four years since (1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020) a further 37 collisions have occurred, including one fatality and five injury collisions, indicating the continued need for intervention.

Photos

Intersection of Southern Cross Drive and Ross Smith Crescent

Before

After

Intersection of Southern Cross Drive and Chewings Street

Before

After

Construction is complete along Mawson Drive between Athllon Drive and Ainsworth Street in Mawson. The project delivered:

• channelisation of Mawson Drive to single lanes in both directions, with dedicated turning lanes
• conversion of Mountevans Street to left-in and left-out only
• introduction of a 40 km/h zone on Mawson Drive between Athllon Drive and Hurley Street
• installation of traffic calming devices, including asphalt speed humps and raised pedestrian crossings, within the 40 km/h zone (see map below for locations).

Construction was completed in July 2023 to install traffic lights at this intersection. In addition, the speed limit was reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h on an approximately 800-metre section of Hindmarsh Drive from east of Brierly Street to west of Carbeen Street on Hindmarsh Drive.

Construction was completed in September 2023 to upgrade the existing traffic signals to include a signalised right-turn arrow from Phillip Avenue into Windeyer Street. In addition, a dedicated through lane and localised formal on-road cycle lane was also constructed on Phillip Avenue.

Construction was completed in October 2023 to install new traffic lights and two additional right-turn lanes in both directions on Limestone Avenue at the intersection. The existing signalised pedestrian crossing was also removed.

Construction was completed in October 2023 to convert the intersection into a left-in/left-out only for the community with removal of the right turn from Isabella Drive into Benham Street. The right-turn from Benham Street onto Isabella Drive has remained accessible for emergency vehicles only.