MORE than 1 million tonnes of concrete - enough to fill Canberra Stadium or 150 Olympic-size swimming pools - have been used to build the Cotter Dam.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Sunday, Canberrans will for the first time get the chance to touch the wall of the structure and walk on the 80-metre-high dam wall near the spillway as part of ACTEW's fifth open day.
The $410 million project has been plagued by delays and cost blowouts, with the budget growing from the 2007 preliminary estimate of $145 million to $363 million when the dam was approved in 2009. That figure rose to $397 million before the 2012 floods hit.
ACTEW's Rachel Clarke said the first 2000 visitors on Sunday will board buses and have about 15 minutes to walk along the wall.
''Entry is via gold coin donation and all funds go to local charity Marymead,'' she said.
Visitors should park at Cotter Bend and Cotter Avenue car parks.
Ms Clarke said the top of the dam was still part of an active construction site and access to the area involved negotiating stairs and a ramp, with no access for disabled people or children in prams.
Visitors will also be required to wear closed rubber-soled shoes.
Tours start at 8.30am.
For more information, visit actew.com.au.
