Plans for a multimillion-dollar bridge across the Molonglo River have been lodged with the ACT government.
The development application for the final stage of the John Gorton Drive extension would involve a 1.7-kilometre road linking Denman Prospect and Whitlam.
The road extension also includes a 225-metre bridge spanning the Molonglo River with two lanes in each direction.
The bridge would aim to be a replacement to the existing river crossing along Coppins Crossing Road.
The bridge, along with the road extension, was expected to cost $174 million.
The federal government in October announced $87.5 million in funding for the project as part of the federal budget, but required that funding to be matched by the ACT.
The ACT government has said work on the proposed bridge from John Gorton Drive could begin in the next 12 months.
However, a timeline has not been set as to when construction would begin on the project or when the bridge would be completed.
The project would also include signalised intersections at either end of the bridge, along with provisions to accommodate future light rail.
"This work is required to provide both connection between communities living on either side of the Molonglo River and cater to the needs of a growing population in the Molonglo Valley with the proposed future development in the area," the development application said.
"The new bridge will also provide for sufficient flooding immunity."
President of the Weston Creek Community Council Tom Anderson welcomed news of the development application submission.
He said he hoped the project would be completed by 2022.
"It's a great step forward and it's important for two things: a link between north and south Molonglo and provide an alternative route," Mr Anderson said.
"It will also provide a boost to development of the community centre in Molonglo because that will provide easy access to the north and open up the western side of Canberra."
