Athllon Drive upgrade

Concept design

View the concept design (PDF 526.3 KB).

• At northern end (near Sulwood Drive to the Wanniassa Park and Ride) duplication on eastern side.
• Widening of both carriageways south of the Wanniassa Park and Ride.
• Widening on the western side south of Fincham Street.
• Part-time traffic signals at the intersection of Sulwood Drive and Athllon Drive.
• New shared path connection through a new underpass beneath Sulwood Drive.
• New bus stops with path connections to the existing path network at bridge midblock between Sulwood Drive and Atkins Street.
• New barriers on existing bridge mid-block between Sulwood Drive and Atkins Street, and widen or new bridge on eastern side for southbound traffic.
• Replacement of southbound bridge between Wanniassa Park and Ride and Vosper Street and widen or replace northbound bridge.
• On-road cycle lanes in both directions.
• Signalise the intersection of Atkins Street and Athllon Drive.
• Upgrade the intersection of Fincham Crescent and Athllon Drive.
• Relocate bus stop #1909 at the Wanniassa Park and Ride.
• Upgrade the intersection of Vosper Street and Athllon Drive, including a new raised crossing for the shared path.

Current status

Detailed design began in 2023 and is currently underway. This has an 18-24 month timeframe depending on the environmental and planning approvals. As part of this phase, the concept design will be reviewed and further developed.

Numerous site investigations have already been undertaken to inform the design, including measuring Gang-gang cockatoo hollows in trees and undertaking road pavement assessments. Noise monitoring will start soon.

Engagement with the community is planned for 2024 when the proposed upgraded intersection arrangements, public transport and active travel components, and landscaping will be on display. Following this, the processes to obtain environmental and planning approvals for the project will commence, noting these are expected to include public notification periods.

Some early works packages, such as utility relocations, could commence ahead of the main construction works. These potential early works packages are currently being considered. The main construction package would commence upon completion of design and planning approvals and following successful construction procurement.

Concept design

View the concept design (PDF 520.4 KB).

• Duplication on the eastern side of Athllon Drive.
• Signalisation of the Melrose Drive intersection (with a 500 metre long retaining wall adjacent to Yarralumla Creek).
• New southbound bus stop (replacing two) at the highest patronage location adjacent to Shea Street (the affected bus stops are #2687 and #2651).
• Four-way intersection at Shea Street to provide street access to the proposed development blocks (as identified in the Woden District Strategy) and also provide egress from the new Woden Bus Depot.
• New three-metre wide shared path on eastern side connecting Hindmarsh Drive to the relocated bus stop.
• Signalise the intersection of Parramatta Street and Athllon Drive.
• Bus priority lane heading north towards Hindmarsh Drive.
• On-road cycle lanes in both directions.
• Adjustments to pedestrian bridge over Yarralumla Creek opposite Parramatta Street.
• Relocate existing bus stop #2650.
• Provide raised median between carriageways.

Current status

Detailed design has recently started. The detailed design and associated site investigations are expected to be undertaken and developed over the next 18-24 months. A preliminary design will be prepared to share with the community ahead of planning and environmental approvals being sought for this section of the project. The planning and environmental approvals will be required prior to the commencement of construction. Updates on the timing of work for this section of the project will continue to be provided via this project page and stakeholder emails.

Prior to this, temporary intersection upgrades to facilitate the reopening of the Woden Bus Depot are expected to be built during 2024.