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The ACT government believes a newly opened section of Majura Parkway would save commuters seven minutes off their evening drive. From Thursday afternoon, northbound drivers would be able to access the parkway from Fairbairn Avenue for their evening commute home. Roads and Parking Minister Mick Gentleman would not speculate on when the southbound section would be finished but said the $288 million project was still on schedule for next year despite a history of problems. "This is fantastic for the ACT," Mr Gentleman said. "Those commuters going back to Gungahlin, it'll make their time quite a lot quicker. A section of the dual carriageway preceding Tambreet Street has been open since January, with the parkway set to improve freight services. He said Canberra is seeing businesses "vote with their feet" with the development of the eastern side of the ACT and the arrival of IKEA, and the Majura Parkway improved freight access to the region. "I think this adds really well to our urban renewal in the ACT, it gives us an opportunity to provide safer and faster commuting for territory commuters and ensure that we also tap into that in regard to the way we do residential development along corridors across the territory," he said. The southbound section would likely remain closed for several months, as the government reviews the opening of the northbound section, conducting traffic surveys and ensuring traffic signals are working over the next few months. However, the Molonglo River bridge is expected to finish within weeks and once complete will link the Majura Parkway to the Monaro Highway. It is expected to carry around 40,000 vehicles a day including up to 6000 trucks by 2030. The new section stretches almost 12 kilometres, connecting with the already opened part of Majura Parkway at Tambreet Street. The road was a joint project between the ACT government and the commonwealth government, with Liberal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja present at the opening to cut the ribbon with Mr Gentleman at the Fairbairn Avenue turnoff. "It's good when we can see this kind of partnership because there is a local benefit to this road, definitely, but also there's significant broader regional benefit," Mr Seselja said. Mr Seselja and Mr Gentleman both signalled a desire for further joint federal and ACT projects which would likely focus on NSW drivers. "I sense an openness from the ACT government to work in that space," Mr Seselja said. Existing traffic arrangements will remain for southbound traffic travelling towards the airport, Majura Business Park, Tuggeranong and Fyshwick. Traffic will continue to diverted at the Tambreet Street roundabout to Majura Road.

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