ACT Secures $87 Million for Gungahlin and Belconnen Road Upgrades

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed the Infrastructure Investment Bill on 7 July 2026, allocating funds for targeted road widening and bus lane projects in Gungahlin and Belconnen. The legislation affects residents who drive or catch buses along Gundaroo Drive, Barton Highway and Belconnen Way during peak periods.

The vote follows the release of the 2026-27 ACT Budget Papers, which noted slower population growth in outer northern suburbs and rising congestion on routes used by public servants commuting to Civic and Russell. Assembly records show the bill received support from both major parties after amendments removed proposed rate increases for 2027-28.

Changes for daily travel in northern Canberra

Residents in Gungahlin will see new bus priority lanes installed on Gundaroo Drive between the town centre and the Federal Highway by mid-2027. Belconnen commuters using Belconnen Way can expect extended clearway hours from 6am to 9.30am on weekdays, reducing the time some buses take to reach the city interchange. Local advocates note that households near these corridors may face temporary detours and night-time noise during the October 2026 to March 2027 construction window.

The 2026-27 ACT Budget Papers list the $87 million package as covering 4.2 kilometres of new lanes and 12 upgraded intersections. Transport Canberra modelling projects average morning peak travel time savings of eight minutes for bus users on the affected routes once works finish.

Timetable and next steps

Design tenders will open in August 2026, with the ACT Government stating that community consultation sessions will be held in Gungahlin and Belconnen in September. Construction contracts are expected to be awarded by December, subject to the usual environmental approvals listed in the legislation.

Rate notices issued from 1 July 2027 will not include any new levy for these projects, as the funding comes from existing consolidated revenue and federal infrastructure grants already recorded in the budget papers.