Stage 1 of the Old Cooma Rd upgrade is expected to commence in mid 2012. Stage 1 of the upgrade will see the section of road near the Cooma Rd Quarry replaced with a straighter and wider section of road, providing much safer travel and improved traffic flow between Queanbeyan and the new suburb of Googong.
Council discussed the project at its meeting on 23 March and agreed to approve the project with conditions. Council has also gained concurrence for the project from The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and the final design is being reviewed by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Council is currently preparing documents for tender for Stage 1.
Construction of the Stage 1 realignment, south of Wickerslack Lane to the top of the Talpa ridge, will take approximately seven months. Construction of Stage 1 of the project is estimated to cost of $7.8 million. Funding will be contributed by Queanbeyan City Council and the developers of the new Googong township.
Stage 2 will involve a 4.5km long duplication of Old Cooma Rd from Edwin Land Parkway at Karabar to the new Googong township. This will deliver a four-lane dual carriageway for the full length of the duplication, however this is not scheduled for some time.
Additional works are planned in the Stage 2 duplication to provide an off-road cycle and pedestrian path to join the new Googong township with Queanbeyan providing a safer environment.
Old Cooma Road Brochure