Current update

The project remains in the environmental approvals stage. This has been a lengthy process however it is reflective of the highly constrained environment we are working in, namely with construction occurring between two nature reserves and nearby to residential areas. As such, the comments received on the Environmental Impact Statement require significant consideration and further assessments/investigations and this work is ongoing.

Construction procurement will commence once these approvals have been received. Timeframes for construction will be confirmed once a contract has been awarded.

To receive updates on this project, email communityengagement@act.gov.au.

Page last reviewed 03 Apr 2024

Project description

Design is underway on William Hovell Drive Duplication Project.

Why are we upgrading William Hovell Drive?

To improve the overall road alignment, capacity and safety.
To reduce the rate of vehicular crashes.
To relieve the morning and afternoon congestion between West Belconnen and the City.
To promote active travel and support sustainable transport.

Key features of the project

Duplication of 4.5 kilometres of William Hovell Drive to complete its duplication from the Glenloch Interchange through to Drake-Brockman Drive.
A new nearly seven-kilometre, three-metre wide asphalt off-road shared path along William Hovell Drive between Drake-Brockman Drive and Bindubi Street.
On-road cycle lanes in both directions.
A new signalised intersection of Drake-Brockman Drive/Kingsford Smith Drive and William Hovell Drive.
Formalising access into the Old Weetangera Cemetery.
Improve and enhance the Bicentennial National Trail underpass and approaches to minimise conflict between users, particularly in areas where the BNT interacts with the shared path.
Construction of nine architecturally designed retaining walls ensuring works remain within the road reserve and limit impacts on sensitive environmental areas.

The following changes have been made to the design in response to feedback received:

the alignment of the off-road shared path between Drake-Brockman Drive and the underpass adjacent to Hawker has been relocated to the western side of William Hovell Drive (away from residences and the off-leash dog walking area). The ACT Government will mitigate the conflicts on the Bicentennial National Trail and equestrian users in the design as much as possible. The new alignment remains subject to final approvals.
following further discussions with the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna, additional measures will be implemented to facilitate movements of wildlife between The Pinnacle and Kama nature reserves.

Still to be finalised are:

a landscaping plan which will include trees required for removal and how they will be offset with additional plantings (noting 59 mature trees have been identified for removal and will be replaced with 590 new trees, at a ratio of 1:10)
a construction methodology to minimise traffic disruption which will be undertaken as part of the procurement for a construction contractor.

This project is jointly funded between the ACT and Australian Governments under the Commonwealth’s Infrastructure Investment Program.

Project background

This project commenced in 2018 with a feasibility study to identify the preferred option for duplication. Following this, in 2020 funding was provided to progress the study through to full detail design including development approvals.

A draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA 202138722) were submitted in July 2021. Public notifications were open until 30 September 2021. We undertook additional consultation on this project via YourSay Conversations in 2021. See the What We Heard report for a summary of the feedback received.

Construction

Construction timeframes will be determined as part of the detailed design phase and following the construction procurement phases however it is expected construction will take approximately three years to complete.

Current update

The revised EIS and Impact Track DA were renotified by EPSDD in late June 2022 with representations closing on 1 August 2022. It is currently undergoing assessment.

Included with the revised EIS was the updated noise modelling report following additional noise monitoring activities undertaken in February 2022. The findings were generally consistent with the initial report. Approximately 10 properties have been identified to have predicted noise levels in 2031 up to four decibels higher than the criteria/target threshold. However, the use of noise reducing pavement will reduce the predicted noise levels to within the criteria/target threshold and therefore this remains the intention for the upgrade of William Hovell Drive. The revised noise modelling report is available on the YourSay project page.

Furthermore, the section of the shared path between John Gorton Drive and Bindubi Street required a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It was publicly notified with representations open until Monday 5 September 2022. It is currently undergoing assessment.

Construction timeframes are dependent on receiving approval from the Commonwealth and ACT planning authorities and construction procurement. Construction procurement will progress once approvals have been received.