Construction has begun on a signalised pedestrian crossing near where two school students were hit by a drug-fuelled driver on Canberra Avenue more than a year ago.
Temporary lane closures will be in place outside St Edmund's College near Burke Crescent as the pedestrian crossing is constructed over the next four months.
Two students from the college were gravely injured in a hit-and-run accident while crossing Canberra Avenue on their way to school in March 2025.
The car driver, Tayler Christian Hazell, was sentenced to a 13-year-and-two-month jail term after a judge found he had "sought to lie and manipulate" to minimise responsibility for his near-fatal actions.
In a letter to families, St Edmunds' principal Margie Maher said the first day of the crossing's construction marked an important milestone for the community.
"This project reflects years of advocacy, collaboration, and commitment from members of both the St Edmund's and St Clare's College communities to improve safety for our students, families, visitors and staff," she said.
"Importantly, this installation carries added significance following last year's accident on Canberra Avenue, reinforcing the need for improved pedestrian safety measures around our college."
An ACT government spokesperson said the signalised pedestrian crossings were designed to enhance pedestrian safety by controlling vehicle traffic and providing clear signals for when pedestrians can cross.
"The project will also remove some of the older existing paths which cross Canberra Avenue at McMillian Crescent and Burke Crescent, channelling pedestrians to the new, safer signalised pedestrian crossing," Minister for City and Government Services Tara Cheyne said.
"Additional kerbs will also be built to discourage parking in the median area, which can impact visibility for both pedestrians and vehicles passing through.
"The ACT government has been working closely with both nearby schools in relation to the proposed design of the new signalised pedestrian crossing and the additional safety improvements."
There will be temporary changed traffic arrangements, including temporary lane closures, on Canberra Avenue to facilitate these important works. East and west access along Canberra Avenue will remain at all times. The community will be notified if short-term road closures are required.
The signalised pedestrian crossing is expected to be operational by early August 2026, with all other works, following contract negotiations, expected to be complete by the end of September 2026.
