Stage 1 of the C2 cycleway was completed in just two months; stage 2 and three might take a little longer. Photo: ACT Government.
Canberra cyclists will have to wait for the expansion of the popular ‘pop-up’ Kingston cycleway as the government pushes back the next stage of the project to the end of the year due to site complexities.
Stage 1 of the pop-up cycleway was built last year between Kings Avenue and Bowen Park to address what the government described as overcrowding on the popular route.
A City and Environment Directorate spokesperson confirmed the plans for stages 2 and 3 have been pushed back.
“The design was originally planned to be complete in mid-2025; however, due to the site complexities, additional investigations were required. The current program is on track for design to be completed in 2025 with construction to follow once this work is complete.”
The stage 1 two-way protected cycle lane used recycled rubber bollards to create a dedicated bike lane as part of a larger project to upgrade the C2 cycleway between the City and Queanbeyan, completing construction in just two months.
At the time, then City Services Minister Tara Cheyne highlighted the project as a possible template for future cycling infrastructure.
“The trial of this infrastructure will influence future decision-making about the roll-out of similar infrastructure in other areas of Canberra,” she said in 2024.
However, since then, the government has remained quiet about progress on the popular route.
Stage 2, intended to upgrade the infrastructure between Bowen Drive and Canberra Avenue, and stage 3, which will upgrade the route to the Monaro Highway, were due to have their detailed design work finished by mid-2025.
Following an inquiry by Region, the government explained that construction on the next stages would begin once designs were finalised.
“Detailed design work for stages 2 and 3 of the Kingston Cycleway project is currently underway, taking into consideration a range of site complexities, including the location of below-ground services and above-ground infrastructure. Once the design is finalised, construction of priority sections of Stage 2 of the cycleway will commence,” the City and Environment Directorate spokesperson said.
The cycleway has been a popular addition to Canberra’s cycling infrastructure, with Pedal Power praising it as an example of the infrastructure Canberra needs.
“Around six months ago, we were consulted on the design of the next section of the Kingston cycleway, between Bowen Park and the railway station. We were both pleased and impressed by the thoughtful and strategic elements incorporated into the proposed design,” executive director Cecily Michaels said.
“Since then, we have not received any further updates and hope the original plans remain intact. We strongly support the timely allocation of funds to bring this design to life and look forward to seeing Region highlight the excellent value for money this high-quality cycleway will deliver once constructed.”
