Road safety upgrades will soon begin along Cotter Road between Swallowtail Road and Mount Stromlo Road to improve safety for cyclists and other road users. These works will increase the space available for cyclists, therefore providing increased separation from motor vehicles.
The section of Cotter Road being upgraded forms part of the Cotter-Uriarra cycle loop which is well-used by active Canberrans.
Improvements along Cotter Road include a new sealed shoulder and associated pavement widening along with safety improvements to the intersection of Cotter Road with Eucumbene Drive. The existing road safety barriers and line marking will be reinstated following the upgrades. The works will occur on both the north and south sides of Cotter Road, widening the sides by about two metres. The road will be widened by up to four metres between Swallowtail Road and up to 200 metres west of its intersection with Mount Stromlo Road. This will ensure on-road cycle lanes are compliant with current standards and increases available space for cyclists on the Cotter-Uriarra cycle loop. Additionally, A 2.5 metre sealed shoulder will be installed on the southern side of the Mount Stromlo Road intersection with Cotter Road. This will allow road users to perform safer right hand turns onto Mount Stromlo Road.
To widen the pavement some trees along Cotter Road will need to be removed. However, new trees will be re-planted once the works are complete.
These works are jointly funded by the ACT and Australian Governments as part of the Commonwealth’s Road Safety Program.
Timing of the works
Survey and geotechnical investigations will commence from Wednesday 25 May 2022. There may be short-term lane closures to safely facilitate these investigations.
Construction works are expected to commence in early June. There will be lane closures for the duration of these works.
To ensure some of the construction activities can be undertaken safely, full road closures will be put in place as needed. These closures will be taken in out of peak hours only and may be undertaken as night works where possible.
Daywork hours are from 7 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 4 pm weekends. Nightwork hours are from 7 pm to 6 am. Roadside signage will be in place to keep road users and the local community updated.
Works are expected to be completed by the end of December 2022 (weather permitting).