Molonglo Parkway?

Started by Buzz Killington, September 05, 2009, 04:58:38 PM

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Buzz Killington



Have a look at this timetable for the 323 from 1985. Note that the section of Parkes Way between Commonwealth Ave and Glenloch is labelled as 'Molonglo Parkway'

Also of note, the map is mislabelled - it is for Route 323, not 383!


Enlargement can be viewed here

smitho

It was more commonly referred to as the "Molonglo Arterial"; it was a very controversial road project as it involved (a) slicing into the side of Black Mountain; (b) filling in part of Lake B-G; and (c) was originally intended to do away with Lady Denman Drive.

As a result of public opposition to the proposal, NCDC reduced the scale of the carriageway from 3 lanes in each direction to 2 lanes each way, while Lady Denman Drive was retained, but on a new alignment.

Once the project was completed, the term Molonglo Arterial faded from use and the new road (which was in effect, an extension of the pre-existing Parkes Way), was named Parkes Way.

Buzz Killington

Thanks for that Smitho.. I'd never heard about all that, but it does explain why Lady Denman Dr and Parkes Way are right alongside each other...

And filling in part of the lake?!

smitho

Quote from: Buzz Killington on September 05, 2009, 10:34:29 PM
Thanks for that Smitho.. I'd never heard about all that, but it does explain why Lady Denman Dr and Parkes Way are right alongside each other...

And filling in part of the lake?!

Yes, that had to fill in part of the Lake to avoid having to cut too much in to the side of Black Mountain. As it is, they had to make a pretty deep cutting into Black Mountain, but they did it in a way which looks almost like natural contours and they got vegetation growing on it pretty quickly. The old edge of the Lake was roughly located around the middle of the southbound carriageway of Parkes Way.

The old Lady Denman Drive was narrow and had some pretty tight curves in it and ran much closer to the Lake than the current. more elevated road.

Tragically, several years before the old road was closed, a car with two or three youths in it ran off the road one night and into the Lake - all the occupants were drowned. The spot where they drowned is now occupied by the "new" Lady Denman Drive.
 
The junction between the old Caswell Drive and the old Lady Denman Drive was well east of that part of Glenloch Station which became Glenloch Interchange; this old junction was abandoned when the Interchange was built but the right of way of the old Caswell Drive alignment was re-used and incorporated into the new Caswell Drive when it was re-aligned a few years ago in association with the GDE.