Is Majura under threat from road upgrade?

[caak]

Here is the proposed alignment I received via email in Dec08. The second image is a quickly realigned one showing how they could bypass our beloved pines altogether. I reckon it will save at least $100 using this route and those nice little trees and trails get to stay where they are.

New thread started from this thread...

http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=148140

I have only been able to find the following information relating to the road upgrade on the TAMS web site.

Majura Road Improvements
Brief Description: Major road works will include the rehabilitation of the existing pavement with increased traffic flows between Gungahlin and the Canberra Airport Precinct.

The volume of traffic using Majura Road has increased significantly in recent years particularly the amount of commercial traffic using this road . As a consequence the condition of the road pavement needs attention and work is planned as part of the annual road pavement resurfacing program to undertake this work.

Duration: Starting April 2008 will take approximately 6-12 months
Budget: $2.0 m
Partners: ACT Government public works project

[niftydog]

I think those rehab works are already complete.

Google "Majura Parkway" - it'll ruin your day.

It certainly would suck if both Majura and Sparrow Hill get bulldozed.

[spiderpig]

Fingers crossed for everyone they sort something out that doesnt totally wipe out both riding areas. If it happens I can see alot of mtb people going back into kowen and having to share trails with the moto riders. I do both and its good at the moment how we all have our areas and dont get in each other way.

[dhd]

From what I can tell looking at the proposed map we will lose a lot of the lower down stuff that is close to the road and hopefully the upper areas will remain un-touched. From what I can tell we'll only lose about 30% of it tops. Still a lot of fun very rideable stuff left in there so I'd say not a total loss. Best bet is to make the trails that will survive better and enjoy them. Not really a big hit from the DH side of things at least.......

[scbullit]

Have talked to some of the people "in the know" about this, and there are underpasses allowed for to get to the lower sections and there is a possibility of extending across the existing road (once it is reabilitated) into the block of trees on the other side... Aparently the govt body responsible are "aware" of the importance of Majura Pines to Canberra mtb!

[niftydog]

I've never ridden at Kowen, not even sure where the trails are, but I drove up that way a few months back and there was signs of logging going on - is it affecting the trails, does anyone know?

How safe is your car in the car park? Seems like it attracts a lot of smashed glass and burnt rubber...

[Bucket Master]

It is the lower coop where the majority of the impact will be. The road alignment will essentially run stright down the "main drag".

Pit street and above wont be impacted on. Pooklestein (intestinal tract) will be

The road reserve will be about 35m wide.

There will be an underpass (maybe more) to allow for under road access

There will be a big FO interchange just below the guide camp (to allowthe the police to get into their driver training centre)

there is potential to get some compensation to allow for areas to be rebuilt

Early(ish) days yet - any works will be 12 months away (I understand)

Plenty of work to do

[caak]

Even with loosing most of the lower parts of Majura is a real shame. That area is perfect for beginners into the sport.

I did do a search on Majura Parkway but nothing official comes up.

Buckmaster, who do we need to be in touch with, will CORC be the voice for all us MTB'ers?

[BrindiCruiser]

I have just written a letter to TAMS asking that the cost of re-building the trails should be factored into the project.

Probably a good idea for the broader mountain bike community to write some respectful letters to TAMS to make sure the impact on the Majura Pines trails is well understood.

[Bucket Master]

TAMS and SMEC have been speaking with CORC (and will continue to do so) and they see CORC as the peak body that represents the users (mtbers). So in the first instance CORC is best placed to lobby.

That said, when the time comes to write, letters from lots of people will be effective (supporting the stance that CORC has or course!)

We have had discussions with SMEC about compensation and the cost of building trails and used the Whistler method of $10K per km lost - we will see how this runs...

anyway the more people involved in the trails team the more that can get done