The ACT government wants planned $31 million duplication works on Canberra's Gundaroo Drive to start by the end of the year.
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On Tuesday Roads Minister Mick Gentleman called for tenders for stage one of the project, set to see a one kilometre section of the road duplicated to become a dual carriageway between Gungahlin Drive and Mirrabei Drive and Anthony Rolfe Avenue.
The duplication would also see cycle lanes added to the road through the two major roundabouts and was designed to ease congestion and improve safety amid population growth in Gungahlin region, including the suburbs of Throsby, Casey, Kenny, Bonner and Moncrieff.
Mr Gentleman said preliminary works would likely begin in late 2015, after the successful tenderer had been chosen by the government.
Tenders for the construction close on November 3.
The project received $31.2 million in funding from the government's June budget. Days before the budget, the opposition pledged to spend $60 million to duplicate Gundaroo Drive from the Barton Highway to Mirrabei Drive.
"Duplication of this section of Gundaroo Drive has been prioritised due to accident trends and levels of congestion," Mr Gentleman said.
"The upgrade will also align with the delivery of light rail and will provide additional capacity on the road network whilst the construction of light rail takes place."
He said a series of road upgrade projects were planned in Gungahlin within the next 18 months "to help cater for its rapidly increasing population ... and [to] build Gungahlin's integrated transport network". They include the widening a 1.6-kilometre section of Gungahlin Drive, creating three southbound lanes from north of Sandford Street through to the Barton Highway.
East of the Gungahlin town centre, the Valley Avenue and Manning Clark Crescent will be extended; Horse Park Drive will be duplicated between Anthony Rolfe Avenue and Well Station Drive; and intersections at Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Mapleton Avenue and Well Station Drive will be upgraded.
