Released 24/03/2021
The ACT Government is making streets in business precincts safer and more vibrant by expanding 40 km/h zones as our city continues to grow and evolve.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said that as Canberra’s business precincts continue to change, it is important to make sure pedestrians, residents and active travel users are able to move freely and safely.
“As Canberra has grown, more streets have evolved to be not only places to move through, but also places for people to stop and spend time. The speed limit in these areas needs to reflect this functional evolution,” Minister Steel said.
“For example, the City and Braddon have changed remarkably in the past decade to become hubs for dining, cultural events, residents and public transport, with large numbers of people crossing the road to access the Alinga Street Station.
“Reducing speeds limits in areas like our city centre, town, group and local centres makes our roads safer for everyone and supports a friendlier environment to walk, cycle and take public transport.
“This speed limit change will also support business by providing safer, more accessible places to visit, meet shop or dine.”
The announcement builds on the implementation of 40 km/h speed limit precincts in all ACT town centres in 2013 and all group centres in 2015 and also implements the ACT Transport Strategy‘s Movement and Place framework, which acknowledges the dual function of local streets as places for both transport and people.
Work will shortly be completed to expand the existing 40km/h zone to include:
- sections of Barry Drive, Cooyong Street
- Northbourne Avenue between McKay Street to Vernon Circle.
- a large section of the Braddon commercial precinct.
In Tuggeranong, work has been completed on the expansion of the 40km/h zone to include:
- Anketell Street from Athllon Drive to Pitman Street
- a section of Reed Street
- all of Eileen Good Street and Cowlishaw Street.
“This follows the removal of buses from Anketell Street last year and supports the Government’s ongoing investments in place making upgrades and improvements to Tuggeranong Laneways to make the Town Centre a more inviting place to spend time,” Minister Steel said.
Leading into the 2021 winter period, a new 40km/h precinct will also be developed in the Kingston Foreshore area.
This new safety zone will include Eastlake Parade, Trevillian Quay, Giles Street, sections of Printers Way, Eyre Street, Honeysett View and Kerridge Street.
As well as new 40 km/h signage, two sets of speed humps will also be installed on the Eyre Street and Dawes Street approaches to Printers Way to reduce speeds through the intersection and further enhance safety for all road users.
“We will continue to review the use of 40km/h zones to improve safety as Canberra continues to grow, and as the function of our streets continues to change.”
More information on 40km/h zones in town and group centres can be found at cityservices.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases