Page 3053 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 2013
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I sometimes hear from the community that everywhere you go, there are roadworks. This reflects, of course, the fact that the government does have a significant program of infrastructure improvements. There is a big network and a lot of work to be done, but I do agree with Mr Coe that it is important that we are vigilant about making sure that temporary traffic management plans are the right ones and that they are monitored.
Planning and development of road and transport infrastructure is always going to be challenging when you are attempting to balance the needs of current users with providing for growth into the future. And this does not just apply to roads. It applies to all transport-related infrastructure such as shared paths, bus stops and stations and footpaths and, in the future, even light rail.
Major works are required to upgrade our public transport network and our walking and cycling network. I recently announced new works in Belconnen as part of the Belconnen to city transitway project. That will create a corridor of enhanced public transport infrastructure between Belconnen and the city, which is one of Canberra’s key commuter routes. There will be a dedicated bus lane on College Street, improved pick-up and set-down facilities outside Radford College, new bus stops on Haydon Drive and College Street, and improved walking and cycling facilities throughout the area. Those are works expected to be completed early next year.
I have also announced the commencement of work on the construction of a dedicated bus lane on an 800-metre section of Canberra Avenue between Hindmarsh Drive and the Monaro Highway. That is an important public transport project, but of course it will take some time and cause some disruption. It is expected to be completed by mid-2014.
I certainly accept that it can be frustrating and inconvenient to be delayed at road works. As the responsible agency for delivery of much transport infrastructure, TAMS has a key objective of minimising those frustrating and inconvenient delays for the travelling public. Ensuring that the community are aware of roadwork that may delay their commute is one action that is taken in advance of significant road construction through the use of variable message signs advising when building roads.
Road construction in particular is planned and developed over a number of years. There is a tried and tested process involving, firstly, feasibility studies, then concept and detailed design before a project gets on the construction budget. Actual construction is then undertaken against a detailed design and delivery plan that outlines key construction and traffic management milestones and that aims to deliver projects on budget and in time frames in a way that minimises the overall impact on the community. The government knows the challenges and works with the best interests of the community in mind to overcome these as best it can.
It is in the interests of everyone—road users, the community at large, governments and the people who design, plan and build roads—to ensure that transport and road infrastructure is planned and delivered on time. It is important to recognise that the construction phase of these projects follows good planning and that programming
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