The northbound Molonglo River bridge and Fairbairn Avenue twin bridges will open on Wednesday, completing a milestone for the $288 million Majura Parkway project.
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Commuters from Gungahlin, Goulburn, Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan should experience fewer delays in the flow of traffic around the new bridge work on Fairbairn Avenue, Majura Road, Pialligo Avenue and the new parkway project.
New traffic arrangements overnight allowed for the transition to using the bridges on Wednesday morning.
From Wednesday morning, Morshead Drive will be closed between Fairbairn Avenue and Pialligo Avenue, to allow for the construction of the southbound Majura Parkway.
Traffic will travel in both directions along the northbound Molonglo River bridge structure while the southbound structure is completed. The southbound bridge and entire parkway are due for completion in mid-2016.
From Wednesday commuters to Fyshwick will have fewer traffic lights to negotiate in both directions.
The Canberra Times reported last month on efforts to have the northbound bridge opened in time for home-furnishing giant IKEA's opening on November 16. IKEA expects a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000.
Contractors revealed in May they would have to replace concrete on the northbound bridge, delaying this part of the project for several months.
About 100 metres in two side ducts on the northbound bridge were blocked, limiting the number of tension cables that could be run through the tunnels to strengthen the structure.
A spokesperson for the ACT government warned of major delays expected on Majura Road, Pialligo Avenue, Fairbairn Avenue, Morshead Drive and the Monaro Highway, during IKEA's opening week.
Between 10am and 5.40pm, from Monday, November 16 to Sunday, November 22, a loop service will run from the city bus station to the IKEA bus stop. A free car park shuttle loop service will also run throughout the weekend.
IKEA customers are urged to use public transport and motorists are advised to enter via the Majura Parkway, Tambreet Street and Majura Road and take the northbound route when exiting.
Once opened (and if on schedule), the Molonglo River bridge will help alleviate IKEA-related traffic congestion on Fairbairn Avenue, Pialligo Avenue and Majura Road and traffic to and from the city and Canberra Airport.
On Tuesday Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said the bridge openings was a major step forward for Canberra's road infrastructure network. The project is the biggest roads task to date for the ACT and is being jointly funded by the Australian and ACT governments.
"The existing Majura Road is a key transport link supporting up to 18,000 vehicles a day, including 2,800 commercial or heavy freight vehicles. By 2030 Majura Parkway is forecast to carry around 40,000 vehicles, including up to 6,000 trucks," Mr Fletcher said.
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said the opening would benefit Canberrans and people in the wider region by opening the freight corridor and connecting the Federal and Monaro Highways more seamlessly.
ACT Minister for Roads and Parking Mick Gentleman said the additional road capacity would provide an improved road network for Canberra's drivers and also be used as a freight route throughout the region.
"Freight carriers will be able to take a direct pathway through Canberra, which will encourage the region's diversification and economic expansion," Mr Gentleman said.
The north-bound bridge is expected to save commuters about five minutes of travel time, and around ten to fifteen minutes when the dual highway is completed. The ACT government assures the project is on track for completion in June 2016.
