Blockages in ducts for strengthening cables on the Majura Parkway are the latest problem on the massive project, with concrete set to be removed from a new bridge as part of remediation efforts.
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The ACT government was told by contractors in early May that about 100 metres in two side ducts on the northbound bridge over the Molonglo River were blocked, limiting the number of tension cables that could be run through the tunnels to strengthen the structure.
Efforts to the clear the ducts using high pressure water are continuing. Sections of concrete will be progressively removed from the bridge, delaying the planned opening in August until at least mid-November.
Remediation work will be subject to independent certification as contractors and Roads ACT seek to avoid similar delays with cabling strengthening on the road's southbound bridge.
Roads ACT director Tony Gill said the project contractor Fulton Hogan had commenced remediation works to replace sections of the ducts, at no additional cost to the territory taxpayer. T
Despite the three-month delay, the parkway project remained on track for overall completion in June 2016, Mr Gill said.
"I understand that the ducting was blocked and some of the ducting material was crushed as a result of the concrete pour," Mr Gill said.
"We are keen to get the problem addressed. When we got initially advised of it in May, we asked the contractor to basically undertake inspection of the whole bridge to establish the extent of it."
Already 19,000 drivers use the parkway each day. In May a section between the Federal Highway and Fairbairn Avenue was opened to motorists.
Mr Gill said the remediation effort was slow as workers faced confined spaces, above the river. He expressed confidence in the contractor and subcontractor.
"We are going to become responsible for managing and maintaining the bridge into the future. The bridge has been designed to have a 100-year service life and we want to make sure that is the case when it is handed over to the territory."
Mr Gill said the public response to the parkway had been overwhelmingly positive, despite work on the $288 million project, grinding to a halt in May 2014 after subcontractor Hewatt Earthworks entered voluntary administration.
About 300 staff were stood down as crisis talks were held in Melbourne in order to avoid major delays and potential cost blow-outs of tens of millions of dollars on the site.
In May, civil contractor Geoff Hewatt said millions of dollars' worth of company equipment was stolen from the site. The parkway is the single largest road project in the history of the ACT.
Opposition roads spokesman Alistair Coe said the latest problems related to the bridge were concerning.
"Majura Parkway is an important piece of infrastructure and any delays or cost blow-outs will be extremely detrimental to taxpayers. I hope the remediation efforts are successful," Mr Coe said.
"Given the government's record in delivering infrastructure, I fear Canberrans are seeing costs blow-outs and delays as the norm. I hope the project will be delivered on time and on budget."
