Overview

This page provides an overview of the Gungahlin Drive Extension project in the Australian Capital Territory

• The GDE Route
• Kaleen Precinct
• Bruce Precinct
• Aranda Precinct
• Glenloch Precinct
• Safety
• Sustainability

GDE will be a crucial link in Canberra's transport network. The road will ease traffic congestion and provide quicker and safer journeys for Gungahlin's growing population. It will also play an important part in meeting the Government's sustainable transport objectives, providing improved inter-town public transport and cycle links.

The GDE Route

Gungahlin Drive Extension (GDE) will be a 9 kilometre arterial road linking the Barton Highway to the Tuggeranong Parkway at Glenloch Interchange.

The GDE will pass over the Barton Highway, Ginninderra Drive and Belconnen Way, with alignment to the east of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

The first stage of GDE will be a two-lane road with a daily capacity for 30,000 vehicles. Later, Stage 2 construction will widen the road to four lanes, and will accommodate around 50,000 vehicles per day. Population growth in Gungahlin will be monitored to determine the appropriate time to upgrade GDE to four lanes.

Preliminary works on the GDE project, which includes fencing off the works area, tree clearing and service relocations, commenced in mid-March 2004. Construction of the road commenced in early 2005 and is expected to be complete by mid 2008.

Kaleen Precinct

The GDE will facilitate travel for Kaleen residents to and from Woden and Tuggeranong. It will also ease traffic on Baldwin Drive and Haydon Drive.

The GDE will start at the existing Gungahlin Drive/Barton Highway overpass, travel south over Ellenborough Street and have an underpass for cyclists, pedestrians and horses. The proposed route is west of Lyneham Ridge beside the power lines. Connecting access roads to Ginninderra Drive will have traffic lights. The road will be 75 metres from the back fences of homes in Pieman Crescent in northern Kaleen, and 230 metres from the GDE road edge to the closest front yard on Gairdner Circuit.

Bruce Precinct

The GDE will pass over Ginninderra Drive and to the east of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Canberra Institute of Technology and Calvary Hospital. It will have on and off ramps and traffic lights at Belconnen Way and Ginninderra Drive.

Aranda Precinct

The GDE will be constructed in a cutting below the existing Caswell Drive and be moved on average 40 metres inside the existing Black Mountain Reserve in the vicinity of Aranda. It will be a minimum of 95 metres from Aranda back fences, with the exit ramp a minimum of 85 metres from some Aranda fencelines.

The road will pass over Belconnen Way with a single point intersection between Gungahlin Drive Extension and Belconnen Way. Caswell Drive, adjacent to Aranda, will be retained as a local access road to and from Aranda only. Wangara Street will be closed off at the existing Caswell Drive and become a cul-de-sac.

An overpass will provide linkage between Caswell Drive and GDE and will also allow pedestrian and cyclist access to Black Mountain Reserve. This linkage will provide access for residents of east Aranda into and out of Aranda.

Glenloch Precinct

The design at Glenloch Interchange, with the direct link from GDE to the Tuggeranong Parkway, does not include a right hand turn from GDE heading south onto William Hovell Drive, as this is currently seldom used by traffic.

Safety

The GDE will be part of the city's network of arterial roads, providing safe and efficient travel routes for all citizens. To ensure safety the GDE will pass over the Barton Highway, Ginninderra Drive and Belconnen Way. Connecting access roads with traffic lights will provide easy entry to and exit from these existing major roads. Safe access for pedestrians and cycles will be provided with underpasses. The speed limit on the GDE will be 80 km/h.

Sustainability

The GDE will ease existing traffic congestion and as a result improve the amenity for a large number of North Canberra residents. The GDE will play an important part in meeting the Government's sustainable transport objectives, particularly providing intertown public transport and cycle links. This responsible approach to transportation takes account of environmental, social and economic factors in the long and short terms.