Concept design released for Athllon Drive duplication

The concept design proposed to duplicate a 600m stretch of road between Shea Street and Melrose Drive in Phillip and a 2.4km stretch between Sulwood Drive and Drakeford Drive in Kambah.

Roads and Active Travel Minister Chris Steel said it would ease congestion and manage growing traffic in the expanding region, with a plan to prioritise public transport.

He said more than 14,000 vehicles used Athllon drive daily.

The designs included new traffic lights installed at Melrose Drive, Parramatta St and Atkins St.

Part time traffic signals have also been proposed at the Sulwood Drive roundabout.

Mr Steel said the safety of cyclists and pedestrians were front of mind in the planned upgrades which would include path connections, on-road cycle lanes and a new Sulwood Drive underpass.

A priority bus lane northbound has also been proposed, which Mr Steel said would cut two minutes off travel times for commuters on the R4 and R5 buses.

There would also be changes to bus stops, with one southbound stop proposed to replace two currently on that section of road.

A four-way intersection has been included at Shea St to provide access to proposed development blocks in the area.

Nearby residents and local stakeholders would have an opportunity to give their input on the designs, Mr Steel said.

Funding has also been announced for the detailed design work on the duplication which would take place after consultation of the proposed plan.

"The ACT government is also funding the necessary pre-DA approvals for the bridge over the Molonglo River," he said.