Far from relieving traffic congestion around Canberra Airport, the embattled Majura Parkway will trigger urgent roadworks to avoid lengthy delays stretching into the city and Kingston.
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The $288 million parkway will link the Monaro Highway to the Federal Highway and is designed as a long term solution for north-south through traffic and bypass of Canberra.
But Canberra Airport's draft master plan for the next 20 years of development warns that on road links to the parkway, congestion will quickly mount from new traffic lights and will be magnified by new developments and urban infill.
The master plan says duplicating Fairbairn Avenue should be done before the completion of Majura Parkway. It is urgent and will be cheaper and cause much less traffic disruption than if it is done after the parkway is completed.
When Majura Parkway is finished, Fairbairn will become the main south-bound ramp off the parkway to enter the city and connect to Russell, the airport and Parliament House.
The master plan warns of the impact of diverting money from the planned duplication of Pialligo Avenue in 2006 to Gungahlin Drive Extension, and abandoning Monash Drive on the western side of Mt Ainslie.
The opening of Ikea is one of several unknown impacts fast approaching local car commuters, and interstate tourists and trucks driving through Majura Valley.
An even greater impact could come from the heavy traffic negotiating the Majura interchange, comprising intersections with Pialligo and Fairbairn Avenues, Morshead Drive, Monaro Highway and Majura Drive.
Unlike the free-flowing Glenloch Interchange, Majura interchange will have six traffic light intersections with restricted lane and turn capacities as it copes with the dual burden of heavy local traffic and significant regional traffic.
The master plan says all previous big intersections on major Canberra roads since the 1960s have been free flowing, such as Glenloch Interchange.
The government's 7.8-hectare bulky goods retail and commercial precinct will begin with Ikea opening next year. Traffic studies on the effects are yet to come.
Economic Development Directorate director-general David Dawes said a consultant would estimate the extra traffic generated as a result of Ikea's operations and add the figures from Roads ACT.
"The reduction in traffic along Majura Road will occur well prior to Ikea commencing business,'' Mr Dawes said.
Upgrades will allow roads to manage increased demand from Gungahlin's growth, and in time a future Kowen parkway will link Majura Parkway, according to the airport's draft master plan, which is open for public consultation.
But a proposed ''Monash Drive'' planned for the western slopes of Mount Ainslie no longer appears likely due to objections from North Canberra residents.
"Without Monash drive, the existing east-west roads will also need to be supplemented by significant lane and interchange capacity and that part of the Kowen interchange within Majura Valley will need to be brought forward to provide a westward link between the Majura Parkway and Northcott Drive,'' the master plan's roads chapter says.
The airport has paid in full, or significantly, for upgraded intersections around the busy precinct.
The master plan says the government allocated money in 2000 to duplicate Pialligo Avenue, which was to be finished by mid-2002, but the money was never spent.
In January 2006, the government redirected these funds to the Gungahlin Drive Extension.
