The ACT Government is proposing an off-ramp off Parkes Way straight into Allara Street. This road is due to begin construction within coming weeks (November 2014) with little community consultation.

The proposed road will make it difficult for cyclists to use the new City Cycle Loop in the spirit that the loop was proposed for. It will also make it difficult for cars to leave the civic pool carpark. The current figures provided state that upon completion there will be approximately 200 cars coming off Parkes Way into Allara Street in peak hour. This project will also make the area less pedestrian friendly, particularly those accessing the pedestrian bridge from Allara Street to Commonwealth Park.

The ACT Government advises that the off-ramp is needed to reduce congestion at the Coranderrk Street roundabout on Parkes Way. However given that there are traffic lights at the intersection of Allara Street and Constitution Ave it is not clear how this project will be able to clear the additional 200 cars in an hour without backing up onto Parkes Way, reducing the ability of drivers to gain access to the driveways and car park entries off Allara Street.

Please join us in telling the ACT Government not to build the off-ramp and to come up with a longer term solution to the traffic issues on Parkes Way.