The Belconnen bikeway, which links Coulter Drive and Haydon drive through the Belconnen Town Centre adjacent to Lake Ginninderra, has been completed.
Part of the 4.7 kilometre route follows the path of a former bus-only road, starting on Coulter Drive in Florey and continue along the old busway on Joynton Smith Drive to the Belconnen Town Centre, continuing along Emu Bank through to the University of Canberra and on to Haydon Drive via College Street.
The bikeway comprises 1.4 km of shared path, 1.5 km of pedestrian-only paths, 2.1 km of cyclist-only paths and 440-metres of on-road cycleway.
Transport and City Services Minister Chris Steel said “the Belconnen Bikeway has seen the planting of around 200 new trees to create shade along the entire route. A combination of native and exotic species has been planted helping to provide shade that supports active travel along the bikeway”.
In addition to this, the ACT Government will “extend the Belconnen Bikeway from Haydon Drive to CIT Bruce, including a shared path along Battye Street.”
The Belconnen bikeway has become Canberra’s second separated cycleway alongside Civic.
Construction of a linking path on the Promenade side of the Belconnen Arts Centre has commenced, which will connect the path around Lake Ginninderra.
“This missing link in the Lake Ginninderra foreshore path will not only deliver a shared path, it will also create mini wetlands that will filter stormwater run-off from the nearby car park, improving the water quality of Lake Ginninderra,” member for Ginninderra Tara Cheyne said.
“In addition, raised mesh walkways will be constructed over the wetlands with lookout platforms at either end where people can rest and enjoy the over-water experience.”