Expressway - The Australian Highway Site: Road Photos & Information: ACT: Decommissioned TD2

Road Photos & Information: Australian Capital Territory

Tourist Drive 2 (Decommissioned)

Lake Burley Griffin Tour

Statistics:

Length:: 18 km
Miscellaneous:: Route includes: Northbourne Avenue, Vernon Circle, Commonwealth Avenue, Coronation Drive, Alexandrina Drive, Novar Street, Dudley Street, Cotter Road, Lady Denman Drive, Clunies Ross Street and Barry Drive
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:: Civic, Parkes, Yarralumla, Curtin, Yarramundi, Acton and Turner

Route Numbering:

Former: 2
Multiplexed with: 1 4 5 6 7 23

General Information:

Tourist Drive 2 consisted of a mix of multi-lane divided arterial roadway and also of 2-lane single carriageway road, which passed through commercial and residential areas. It also took in parklands and the Parlimentary Triangle.

The route serviced landmarks such as the southern and western Lake Burley Griffin foreshores, Weston Park, Government House, the National Zoo and Aquarium, Black Mountain and Telstra Tower, the National Botanic Gardens and the National Capital Exhibition.

Between the spans on the southern side of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over Lake Burley Griffin, there's two granite stones from the 1817 Waterloo Bridge across the River Thames in London. These were presented to Australia after the 1817 Waterloo Bridge was demolished in the 1940s and replaced by a modern structure. A plaque reads, in part, "Stones such as these from the bridge were presented to Australia and other parts of the British world to further historic links in the British Commonwealth of Nations".

Barry Drive:

Barry Drive was named after Redmond Barry (1813-1880), who was a judge, and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1841, and was appointed Judge in 1852. He held position of Senior Puisne Judge until his death and presided over the trial of several Eureka Stockade rebels and in 1880 over the trial of Ned Kelly. Redmond Barry was also the first Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, and first President of the Trustees of the Public Library of Victoria. ¹

Clunies Ross Street:

Clunies Ross Street was named after Ian Clunies Ross, the chairman of the CSIRO from 1949 until his death. He was previously a Professor of Veterinary Science at Sydney University, he made vast and valued research in veterinary field and was knighted in 1954. ²

Lady Denman Drive:

Lady Denman Drive was named after Gertrude Mary Denman (Nee Gertrude Mary Pearson) GBE. She is the wife of Lord Denman, Governor-General, 1911-1914. After a nationwide competition for the choice of a name for the National Capital, Lady Denman made the announcement of the chosen name, Canberra, during the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Canberra, 1913. ³

Cotter Road:

Cotter Road was named after Garrett Cotter. Born in Ireland, he arrived in New South Wales in 1822 aboard the 'Mangles 2. After working in the Campbelltown and Lake George areas, he was granted a ticket-of-leave in 1832, conditional on him staying on the western side of the Murrumbidgee; he lived alone there and was accepted by the Aborigines of the area. In 1841 he married Ann Russell. Cotter was given a conditional pardon in 1846 that gave him freedom of movement, except in Britain and Ireland; with his wife, Ann, he became a pioneer of the mountainous region of the present Namadgi National Park, the Cotter River is named after Garrett Cotter and the name was first officially used in 1839. ⁴

Dudley Street:

Dudley Street was named after William Humble Dudley, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth, 1908-11. ⁵

Novar Street:

Novar Street was named after Ronald Munro Ferguson (Viscount Novar of Raith), who was the Governor-General, from 1914 till 1920. He promoted a national interest in afforestation for Australia. ⁶

Alexandrina Drive:

Alexandrina Drive was named after Lake Alexandrina, which is located in South Australia. The lake was named after Princess Alexandrina (later Queen Victoria). ⁷

Coronation Drive:

Coronation Drive commemorates the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. ⁸

Multiplexes along the route include:

: National Route 23, for 3 km between Constitution Av, Civic and State Cir, Capital Hill; Tourist Drive 1, for 3 km between Barry Dr / Cooyong St, Civic and Queen Victoria Tce / Coronation Dr, Parkes; Tourist Drive 4, for 400 m between London Cct, Civic and Barry Dr / Cooyong St, Civic; Tourist Drive 5, for 700 m between Dudley St, Yarralumla and Lady Denman Dr, Curtin; Tourist Drive 6, for 100 m between Commonwealth Av / Queen Victoria Tce, Yarralumla and Forster St, Yarralumla; Tourist Drive 7, for 3 km between Marcus Clarke St, Turner and Queen Victoria Tce / Coronation Dr, Parkes

History:

: 1911: Planning of Commonwealth Avenue, Vernon Circle and Northbourne Avenue by Walter Burley Griffin. ⁹; 1916: The first Commonwealth Avenue Bridge completed. ¹⁰; 1922: The first Commonwealth Avenue Bridge was damaged by flood. ¹⁰; 1923-1924: The second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge built, using three NSW 'Leychester' type trusses. The second bridge was built using materials that had been intended for a bridge near Kings Avenue but not on the current Kings Avenue alignment. ¹¹; 1925: The second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge damaged by flood. ¹⁰; 1927: The completion of the third Commonwealth Avenue Bridge was a modification of the previous bridge. It was by a metre and had an added fourth truss. ⁹; May 1927: The third Commonwealth Avenue Bridge opened to traffic. ¹¹; 20 September 1928: Northbourne Avenue name gazetted. ¹² Dudley Street name gazetted. ⁵ Novar Street name gazetted. ⁶; 15 October 1953: Coronation Drive name gazetted. ⁸; 21 July 1960: Vernon Circle name gazetted, named after Walter Liberty Vernon, former New South Wales Government architect, Member of Advisory Board on Federal Capital site in 1909. ¹³ Clunies Ross Street name gazetted. ²; 1963: The fourth and current high-level concrete Commonwealth Avenue Bridge completed. ¹⁰; November 1963: The fourth Commonwealth Avenue Bridge opened to traffic. ¹⁴; 17 September 1964: Lady Denman Drive name gazetted. ³; 4 May 1967: Alexandrina Drive name gazetted. ⁷; 13 April 1972: Barry Drive name gazetted. ¹; 4 June 1982: Commonwealth Avenue name gazetted. ¹⁵

Click or tap the map to enable panning and zooming

Civic to Turner via Yarralumla

Bunda & Rudd Street Junction:

Southbound TD2 trailblazer approaching Bunda and Rudd Streets in Civic, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

London Circuit Intersection:

Southbound at the London Cct intersection in Civic. February 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Commonwealth Avenue, approaching Albert Street at Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Albert Street:

Albert Street at Acton, approaching the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over Lake Burley Griffin, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge:

Commonwealth Av bridge over Lake Burley Griffin, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Parkes, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Queen Victoria Terrace & Coronation Drive:

Inside the Parliamentary Triangle southbound, approaching the intersection with Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive, TD2 turns right at this junction. February 2011. The TD6 duplex begins at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD6 trailblazer approaching Forster Dr (TD6) in Yarralumla. The TD6 duplex finishes at this junction. February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Flynn Dr in Yarralumla, February 2016. TD2 goes straight through at the roundabout. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the roundabout with Flynn Dr in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the roundabout with Flynn Dr in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer in Yarralumla, February 2011. TD2 turns left onto Novar St in this area.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer at the corner of Novar St and Bailey Pl in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Yarralumla Shops:

Novar St (TD2) outside Yarralumla shops approaching Bentham St, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Adelaide Avenue, Kent Street & Dudley Street:

Novar St (TD2) in Yarralumla at the junction with Dudley St (TD2) and the interchange with Adelaide Av (TD5) and Kent St, February 2011. TD2 turns right at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer on Dudley St at Yarralumla, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Cotter Road:

Dudley Street takes a sharp turn approaching Cotter Rd (TD5) at Yarralumla, February 2011. TD2 turns right at the Cotter Rd signals and picks up a TD5 duplex as well.

Image © Paul Rands

Cotter Road:

Corner of Cotter Rd (TD5) and Dudley St (TD2) in Yarralumla, February 2011. TD5 duplex starts at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Cotter Road:

Corner of Cotter Rd (TD5) and Dudley St (TD2) in Yarralumla, February 2011. TD5 duplex starts at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Dunrossil Drive:

Cotter Rd (TD2 / TD5) at the Dunrossil Dr junction in Curtin, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Curtin, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Curtin, February 2011. TD2 turns right at this roundabout, ending the TD5 duplex.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the roundabout with Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Curtin, February 2011. TD2 turns right at this roundabout, ending the TD5 duplex.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer on Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Yarralumla, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

RD sign with a part of the coverplate missing on Lady Denman Dr (TD2), February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Scrivener Dam:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Scrivener Dam, which helps form Lake Burley Griffin, using waters of the Molonglo River, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

National Zoo & Aquarium:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Yarramundi at the entrance to the National Zoo and Aquarium, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Barrenjoey Drive:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the Barrenjoey Dr junction at Yarramundi, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Yarramundi approaching the access road to Tuggeranong Pkwy, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Yarramundi approaching the access road to Tuggeranong Pkwy, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at Yarramundi facing the access road to Tuggeranong Pkwy, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer at Yarramundi after the Tuggeranong Pkwy interchange, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Yarramundi, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Garryowen Drive:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the Garryowen Dr junction at Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourist Drive 2 Sign:

Reassurance sign for TD2, Lady Denman Dr at Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Parkes Way & Clunies Ross Street:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the interchange with Parkes Way and Clunies Ross St in Acton, February 2011. This junction features some vintage signals with back mounted target boards facing Parkes Way off-ramp.

Image © Paul Rands

Parkes Way & Clunies Ross Street:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the interchange with Parkes Way and Clunies Ross St in Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Parkes Way & Clunies Ross Street:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the interchange with Parkes Way and Clunies Ross St in Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Black Mtn Dr and the Australian National Botanic Gardens at Acton, February 2011. The Black Mountain Drive patch on the sign should be above the Telstra tower legend.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Mountain Drive:

Intersection directional sign at the junction with Black Mtn Dr in Acton, February 2011. The coverplate is covering the name Telecom. The tower was named Telecom Tower when it was completed in 1980.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Black Mtn Dr and the Australian National Botanic Gardens entrance at Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Dickson Road:

Clunies Ross St (TD2) at the Dickson Rd junction in Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Julius Road:

Clunies Ross St (TD2) at the roundabout with Julius St in Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Barry Dr in Acton, February 2011. TD2 turns right at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Barry Drive:

Clunies Ross St (TD2) at the junction with Barry Dr in Acton, February 2011. TD2 turns right at this junction.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

Tourist Drive 2 trailblazer on Barry Dr at Turner, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Turner approaching McCaughey Street and North Road, August 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Kinglsey Street Intersection:

Corner of Barry Dr and Kingsley St at Turner, August 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Turner approaching Northbourne Av (NR23 / TD1 / TD4) and Cooyong St, August 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at Turner at the junction of Northbourne Av (NR23 / TD1 / TD4) and Cooyong St, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from August 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Acton to Civic via Yarralumla

Tourist Drive 2 Trailblazer:

Westbound on Barry Drive in Civic, January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Marcus Clarke Street in Civic, January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign near Watson Street in Civic, approaching Kingsley Street (TD7), January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching North Road and McCaughey Street in Acton, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourist Drive 2 Trailblazer:

Westbound on Barry Drive in Acton, approaching Clunies Ross Street, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on Barry Dr in Acton approaching Clunies Ross St. TD2 turns left here, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from January 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Hand Painted Speed Limit Sign:

A once common sight in the ACT, a hand painted speed limit sign, Clunies Ross St at Acton, January 1996. This sign has since been replaced with a retro-reflective machine made sign.

Image © Paul Rands

Julius Road:

Corner of Clunies Ross St (TD2) and Julius Rd, Acton, February 2016.

Image © Paul Rands

Dickson Road:

Corner of Clunies Ross St (TD2) and Dickson Rd, Acton, February 2016.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Black Mtn Dr and the Australian National Botanic Gardens at Acton, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Botanic Gardens Entrance:

Intersection directional sign at the entrance to the Australian National Botanic Gardens at Acton, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Mountain Drive:

Intersection directional sign at the junction with Black Mtn Dr in Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Acton approaching interchange with Parkes Way and Lady Denman Dr (TD2), February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Parkes Way & Lady Denman Dr:

Clunies Ross Street (TD2) at the interchange with Parkes Way and Lady Denman Dr (TD2) in Acton, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Garryowen Drive:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the Garryowen Dr junction at Acton, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Yarramundi, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer at Yarramundi, February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Yarramundi approaching the access road to Tuggeranong Pkwy, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Barrenjoey Drive:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at the Barrenjoey Dr junction at Yarramundi, February 2011.

National Zoo & Aquarium:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Yarramundi at the entrance to the National Zoo and Aquarium, February 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Scrivener Dam:

Lady Denman Dr (TD2) at Scrivener Dam, which helps form Lake Burley Griffin, using waters of the Molonglo River, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the gravel carpark near the Government House Lookout, Yarralumla, February 2016.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Yarralumla approaching Cotter Rd (TD5), February 2016. The TD5 duplex starts at this junction. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Cotter Road:

Corner of Cotter Rd and Lady Denman Dr in Yarralumla, February 2016. TD2 turns left here and picks up the TD5 duplex as well. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Dunrossil Drive:

Cotter Rd (TD2 / TD5) at the Dunrossil Dr junction in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Dudley Street:

Cotter Rd at the Dudley St junction in Yarralumla, February 2016. TD2 turns left here and this ends the TD5 duplex. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer on Dudley St at Yarralumla, February 2011.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Dudley St (TD2) in Yarralumla approaching Novar St (TD2) and the interchange with Adelaide Av (TD5) and Kent St, February 2016. TD2 turns left at this junction. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Adelaide Avenue, Kent Street & Novar Street:

Dudley St (TD2) in Yarralumla at the junction with Novar St (TD2) and the interchange with Adelaide Av (TD5) and Kent St, February 2011. TD2 turns left at this junction.

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer at the corner of Novar St and Kintore Cr in Yarralumla, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Yarralumla Shops:

Novar St (TD2) outside Yarralumla shops approaching Bentham St, February 2011.

Brown Street & Alexandrina Drive:

Trailblazer facing Novar St Yarralumla at the junction with Brown St and Alexandrina Dr, February 2016. TD2 turns right at this intersection. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Trailblazer:

TD2 trailblazer on Alexandrina Dr at Yarralumla, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Alexandrina Dr (TD2) approaching Flynn Dr and Coronation Dr (TD2) in Yarralumla, February 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2011.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the roundabout with Alexandrina Dr (TD2), Flynn Dr and Coronation Dr (TD2) in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the roundabout with Alexandrina Dr (TD2), Flynn Dr and Coronation Dr (TD2) in Yarralumla, February 2011.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Coronation Dr (TD2) at Yarralumla, approaching Commonweath Av (NR23 / TD1 / TD2) and Queen Victoria Tce (TD7), February 2016.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with the Hyatt Hotel, near Kaye Street in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kaye Street in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Kaye Street Junction:

Corner of Commonwealth Av and Kaye St in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge:

Approaching Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Approaching Albert Street:

Northbound near Albert Street at Acton,just after Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, December 2009.

Parkes Way Interchange:

Northbound through the Parkes Place interchange with Parkes Way at Acton, December 2009.

Parkes Way Interchange:

Commonwealth Av (NR23 / TD1 / TD2 / TD7) at the Parkes Place interchange, Acton, February 2016.

Parkes Way Interchange:

Northbound through the Parkes Place interchange with Parkes Way at Acton, December 2009.

London Circuit Exit:

Commonwealth Avenue at the ramp to London Circuit (TD7), and also approaching Vernon Circle and City Hill in Civic. December 2009.

Road Safety Sign:

Road safety sign on Vernon Circle in Civic. December 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign where Vernon Circle transitions into Northbourne Avenue, approaching London Circuit (TD1) in Civic. The TD4 multiplex begins here. December 2009.

Trailblazer:

NR23 trailblazer outside the Jolimont Centre in Civic at the junction with Rudd and Bunda Streets. December 2009.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Northbourne Avenue approaching Cooyong Street and Barry Drive (TD2 / TD7) in Civic. December 2009.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign for Cooyong Street in Civic. December 2009.

Barry Drive & Cooyong Street:

AD style sign at the corner of Northbourne Av (NR23 / TD2 / TD4 / TD7), Barry Dr (TD2 / TD7) and Cooyong St, Civic, February 2016.

¹ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Barry Drive
² ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Clunies Ross Street
³ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Lady Denman Drive
⁴ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Cotter Road
⁵ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Dudley Street
⁶ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Novar Street
⁷ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Alexandrina Drive
⁸ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Coronation Drive
⁹ Canberra - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, John Overall, p. 12, ISBN 0-9593910-6-1
¹⁰ ACT Heritage Library, ImagesACT, Second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
¹¹ Canberra's Engineering Heritage, 2nd edition, 1990
¹² ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Northbourne Avenue
¹³ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Vernon Circle
¹⁴ ACT Heritage Library, ImagesACT, Commonwealth Avenue bridge, with Scotts Crossing in the foreground, the Albert Hall at left and the Canadian flagpole at Regatta Point at right
¹⁵ ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Commonwealth Avenue