Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal | National Capital Authority

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, Parkes.

Photographed by Ken Gibson.

Project Type

Infrastructure Renewal

Location

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge

Construction Start Date

2023

Completion Date

FY 2024-25

Budget

$137M

Latest News

Tender process starts to find a suitably qualified and experienced multi-discipline design consultant

The NCA has commenced the Request for Tender process for a suitably qualified and experienced multi-discipline design consultant. The NCA is employing an open tender process via the AusTender website.

The successful tenderer will be responsible for providing design services to the project.

The NCA is committed to community and stakeholder engagement and will continue to keep community members and other stakeholders informed about the project.

If you would like to receive project updates by email, please contact our project team at CommonwealthBridge@nca.gov.au to register your interest.

Project Status

The project is currently in the development and planning phase. Activities during this phase include design and development of a preferred project option to strengthen and widen the Bridge, increase its load bearing capacity to reflect current and forecast traffic load demands, upgrade vehicle and pedestrian safety barriers, and to accommodate wider shared pedestrian and cycleway paths.

Consultation with the ACT Government, utility service providers, the community and other stakeholders is ongoing and will continue throughout the Project.

Timing of the works will be coordinated with the ACT Government and phased to minimise disruption to the community.

Background

The NCA’s vision is to renew the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to adequately cater to Canberra’s long-term transport needs while maintaining the Bridge’s considerable cultural and heritage value.

Following the acceptance of the business case for the project by Infrastructure Australia on 20 March 2020, the Australian Government announced on 27 January 2021 a $137m commitment for this high-profile project.

Some key notes about the project:

The Bridge is one of two major bridges crossing Lake Burley Griffin and is a critical component of the transport network of Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory overall. The Bridge also has considerable cultural and heritage value.
The Bridge was built in the early 1960s. Since its opening, patronage on the Bridge has grown substantially. Current traffic on the Bridge makes it one of the busiest transport assets in Canberra.

Road and lake closures will be advised as the project progresses. Information on the NCA’s website regarding the project will be updated regularly.

Previous alerts and notifications

Planned Procurement: Multi-disciplinary Design Services

The National Capital Authority (NCA) is planning to conduct an open tender for the purpose of procuring a suitably qualified and highly experienced multi-disciplinary team to deliver design services for the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project.

The NCA intends to consider a design approach that encompasses both functionality and heritage value. We look forward to engaging a team of various project-specific experts through an open tender process to deliver essential design services for the renewal of the Bridge, while addressing important qualities of the Bridge that ensure its character is maintained within the significant landscape it sits in.

A Request for Tender is anticipated to be released on the AusTender website in the coming weeks.

The role of the NCA is to manage the Australian Government’s continuing interest in the planning, development and maintaining of Canberra as Australia’s National Capital. The NCA performs this role through its statutory function to ensure assets on National Land are created and maintained, are of an appropriate standard, and meet the expectations of users.