CANBERRANS can expect traffic congestion for up to a decade because of tram construction, says Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson.

“My office and other Canberra Liberal MLAs are being contacted daily by constituents who are frustrated about the current delays and traffic when coming from the south side of Canberra,” says Hanson in calling the Labor-Greens government to publish delay statistics from the construction of stage 2a of the tram for Woden, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong.

“Canberrans are frustrated, and the minister must explain to Canberrans how to ‘find a different way into the city’ when all major roads from the south are affected.

“Currently, under this Labor-Greens government, Canberrans can expect traffic congestion for up to a decade.”

Government projections show these current construction works will:

• reduce Commonwealth Avenue traffic volume by 80 per cent.
• increase traffic on Parkes Way by 45 per cent in the morning, and 59 per cent in the evening.
• increase traffic on Monaro Highway by 46 per cent in the morning and 38 per cent in the evening.
• increase traffic on Kings Avenue by 28 Per cent in the morning and 24 per cent in the evening.

In a motion to be put forward in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Mr Hanson will also call on the Labor-Greens government to end the significant traffic congestion as soon as possible by not proceeding with stage 2b of the tram.

“It is important for Canberrans to know, that after a decade of traffic disruption the result will be a tram to Woden, that will take twice as long as the current rapid bus and cost taxpayers over $3 billion,” he said.

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