Kings Highway Upgrade

Latest Update

Approximately 80% of the works are complete, with works expected to be fully completed by mid 2012.

Map of the Southern Deviation (PDF 110KB)

Construction of the Kings Highway Southern Deviation is progressing well.  landscapping and revegetation work is well underway and sealing works are comleted with the exception of the two tie - ins to existing road.

The travelling public are requested to take care and follow the direction of temporary traffic control devices, traffic controllers, and new fixed speed limits, during the rest of the construction works.

Shared Services Procurement have engaged Hewatt Earthworks for the construction of the new section of the highway, AECOM are engaged as superintendents representative.  The work is progressing well, and weather permitting, the new section of highway should be opened on program.

Brief project background

Roads ACT awarded the contract to upgrade of the Kings Highway in the vicinity of Sparrow Hill in February 2011. The purpose of the upgrade is to improve the current poor standard of safety and road condition, and also to accommodate increased traffic volumes due to the HQJOC development.

The Kings Highway runs from the ACT Region to Batemans Bay and is a key east west link connecting the coast to the inland and ACT. The highway provides connectivity to major health and other services within the ACT region that are not available in the coastal area. The project comprises the construction of a single carriageway deviation to the south of the existing highway and is approximately 5km in length.

The key features of this project include:

• Provision of a single carriageway with a 3.5m lane in each direction, typically with a 1.0m sealed shoulder.
• Provision of a 3.5m wide climbing lane in each direction to address the steep grades over Sparrow Hill to enable slower moving vehicles to overtake safely.
• Upgrade of property access along the route.
• Construction of fire trails to service the pine plantation.
• Construction of an underpass to facilitate vehicle/pedestrian movement safely across the highway.
• Maintenance of the existing car park and access to Sparrow Hill from the existing highway.

Benefits of the project:

Improved travel times, traffic flow resulting in safer travel between the ACT and both HQJOC and the coastal region.

Safer access to existing properties along the new Kings Highway and for recreational users to the Kowen pine plantation.

Restoration of the connectivity of the Kowen Travelling Stock Reserve.