Molonglo River Bridge: $226.2m span opens to walkers 5 Dec

The outlet notes that Coppins Crossing is often shut when the river floods, a problem sharpened as the Molonglo Valley has grown. Ms Cheyne said the new link would give residents “the certainty that that connection will always be open”, according to Region Canberra.

She added that Molonglo residents would gain a second route into the city, easing some load on Cotter Road, and that freight could use it. Region says room has been set aside between the carriageways for light rail. Light rail work elsewhere is covered in our Light Rail 2A track slab report.

The numbers

The bridge is 200 metres long and close to finished, though the approaches still need work, Region Canberra reports. Its 80 metre centre span is described by the outlet as the longest weathering steel span in the Southern Hemisphere, and the bridge as Canberra’s tallest. Walkers will stand 20 metres above the river.

Ms Cheyne said the jointly funded project should finish on budget at $226.2 million, as reported by Region. The figure takes in 1.7 km of new road links, intersections and walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure, plus links to the future Molonglo Town Centre.

Region Canberra also reports that a further $30 million had gone from the Suburban Land Agency into works linking the bridge to Whitlam and the Molonglo Town Centre site.

What’s next

The walk is on Saturday 5 December in the morning. Visitors can cross in both directions, hear about the engineering and sustainability features and look out over the Molonglo Valley.

Parking is not available on site. Free shuttles will leave from the Belconnen and Woden interchanges, and from Denman Prospect for people living south of the river. Region says anyone wanting to join should register through BuiltforCBR.