Length:

45 km (Acton to Fyshwick: 7 km)

Termini:

Northern: Corner of Barton Highway (NH25), and Federal Highway (NH23) at Lyneham

Southern: NSW Border at Williamsdale

Miscellaneous:

Monaro Highway continues as B23 in New South Wales

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Parkes, Capital Hill, Forrest, Kingston and Fyshwick

Current: 23

Forthcoming Alphanumeric: A23

General Information:

In the ACT, NR23 serves as the main connector route through suburban Canberra.

The route varies from multi-lane dual carriageway in the urban areas of North and South Canberra to rural highway further south of the city. It passes directly past Australia's Parliament House and other significant areas containing offices for the administration of the country. It also passes through suburban areas, industrial areas at Fyshwick and Hume, plus farming zones and bushland.

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".

Commonwealth Avenue:

1911: Planning of Commonwealth Avenue by Walter Burley Griffin. ¹

1916: The first Commonwealth Avenue Bridge completed. ²⁷

1922: The first Commonwealth Avenue Bridge was damaged by flood. ²⁷

1923: The second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge built, using three NSW 'Leychester' type trusses. ²⁷ 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. ²⁸

August 1923: Completion of second Commonwealth Avenue bridge, with work started on bridge approaches. ²⁹

1925: The second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge damaged by flood. ²⁷

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. ²⁶

May 1927: The third Commonwealth Avenue Bridge opened to traffic. ²⁸

April 1929: Bitumen seal laid on the section of Commonwealth Avenue, between the bridge and the hexagon (London Circuit). ³⁰

October 1929: Concrete laid on Commonwealth Avenue for the full length of the two-way road, with the exception of the bitumen strip on the western side. ³¹

1937: Mercury vapour street lights installed on Commonwealth Avenue. ³

June 1945: Work commenced on repainting the smaller of the two Commonwealth Avenue bridges. The first stage included the construction of new concrete support pylons, after which a steel support was erected. Concrete decking replaced the old wood surface. ³² Work also included widening and the addition of footpaths on each side of the bridge. ³³

3 April 1946: Reopening of the smaller (Billabong Bridge) Commonwealth Avenue bridge after refurbishment works. ³⁴

April 1947: Completion of refurbishment work on the smaller (Billabong Bridge) Commonwealth Avenue bridge. Delays occurred due to material shortages, with the bridge reopening to traffic with temporary wooden railings in 1946. These were replaced with steel rails in the 1947 work. ³⁵

July 1958: The Department of Works covered the surface of Commonwealth Avenue over Billabong Bridge with bitumen and grit, designed to minimise skidding of vehicles by providing a rough, non-skid surface. ³⁶

March 1960: Traffic flow improvements to the intersection of State Circle and Commonwealth Avenue carried out. Work included the construction of a special left turning lane from State Circle into Commonwealth Avenue for northbound traffic. The carriageway of State Circle would be widened to provide additional lanes for both through and turning traffic. ³⁷

May 1961: Work begins on the 4th and current Commonwealth Avenue bridge. ³⁸

13 November 1961: Dismantling began on the Billabong Bridge carrying Commonwealth Avenue over the Molonglo River, for reuse as a temporary structure during the construction of the 4th and current Commonwealth Avenue bridge. ³⁹

15 February 1962: Work started on removal of circular traffic islands at the intersections on Commonwealth Avenue between State Circle and King Edward Terrace. The islands were replaced by smaller elongated islands placed diagonally across the intersections. ⁴⁰

28 March 1962: The first section of decking on the 4th and current Commonwealth Avenue bridge placed. ⁴¹

8 March 1963: The old timber truss bridge across Molonglo River used for the last time. The bridge, which coped with Canberra traffic for 41 years, was replaced immediately by a diversion road and later by the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. The truss bridge was dismantled to enable the construction of the approach embankment for the new bridge. ⁴²

6 May 1963: Demolition of old Commonwealth Avenue bridge commenced. ⁴³

10 September 1963: Eastern side of Commonwealth Avenue bridge opened to traffic at 6 am. This carried traffic in both directions to allow completion of the western side. ⁴⁴

1 November 1963: Western side of Commonwealth Avenue bridge opened to traffic. ⁴⁵

November 1963: The fourth Commonwealth Avenue Bridge opened to traffic. ⁴⁶

1963: The fourth and current high-level concrete Commonwealth Avenue Bridge completed. ²⁶

January 1965: Installation of emergency help phones on Commonwealth Avenue bridge. ⁴⁷

1965: Grade separated interchange constructed at southern end of Commonwealth Avenue bridge. ⁴⁸

1 October 1965: Grade separated interchange at southern end of Commonwealth Avenue bridge opened to traffic. The interchange was designed to relieve traffic congestion from vehicles turning into Commonwealth Avenue from the Parliamentary Triangle. ⁴⁹

October 1969: Installation of 12 160 feet high street lights at the Commonwealth Avenue and Parkes Way interchange. ⁵⁰

August 1972: Permanent traffic counters using similar pads to traffic lights installed just north of Commonwealth Avenue bridge. ⁵¹

4 June 1982: Commonwealth Avenue name gazetted. ⁵²

July 1984: Construction of ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Parliament House. ⁵³

State Circle:

20 September 1928: State Circle name gazetted. ⁵⁴

1937: Mercury vapour street lights installed on State Circle. ³

1958: Completion of full circle as per original Canberra plans of State Circle. The work was for single carriageway which could later be converted to dual carriageway. ⁵⁵

1959: Kerb and guttering for traffic islands constructed and laying of asphalt surface on State Circle. Landscaping of traffic islands also undertaken. ⁵⁶

March 1960: Traffic flow improvements to the intersection of State Circle and Commonwealth Avenue carried out. Work included the construction of a special left turning lane from State Circle into Commonwealth Avenue for northbound traffic. The carriageway of State Circle would be widened to provide additional lanes for both through and turning traffic. ⁵⁷

1968: Widening of State Circle between Adelaide Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. ⁵⁸

9 April 1969: Adelaide Avenue and State Circle ramp opened to traffic. ⁵⁹

28 May 1969: Flynn Drive and State Circle junction and remaining Adelaide Avenue to State Circle ramp opened to traffic. ⁶⁰

25 November 1969: State Circle switched to one way traffic. Traffic was made to travel in a clockwise direction until flyovers from Commonwealth Avenue and Adelaide Avenue to Capital Circle were completed. ⁶¹

24 February 1970: Upgrade of the State Circle and Melbourne Avenue intersection commences. ⁶²

7 September 1970: Loops ramps and overpasses connecting State Circle and Adelaide Avenue opened to traffic. ⁶³

February 1983: Installation of traffic lights at corner of State Circle and Melbourne Avenue. ⁶⁴

1983: Work begins on alterations to State Circle to connect and improve traffic flow as part of the construction of Parliament House. ⁶⁵

September 1983: Bridges over State Circle to connect with Parliament House take shape. ⁶⁶

4 March 1987: Work begins on reconstructing State Circle between Brisbane and Kings Avenues in association with construction of Parliament House. ⁶⁷

29 September 1987: State Circle re-opened to traffic following completion of upgrade works associated with Parliament House, between Flynn Drive and Canberra Avenue. ⁶⁸

Capital Circle:

3 August 1971: Capital Circle opened to traffic. ⁶⁹

December 1971: Work on improving the camber of Capital Circle at its junction with Commonwealth Avenue. ⁷⁰

11 March 1974: Line marking to separate traffic into 2 lanes on Capital Circle commenced. ⁷¹

4 June 1982: Capital Circle name gazetted. ⁷²

1983: Widening of Capital Circle from 3 to 4 lanes and lowered by around 2 metres between Canberra Avenue and Adelaide Avenue. ⁷³

1984: Construction of tunnel / land bridge on Capital Circle. ⁷⁴

October 1984: The on and off ramps from Kings Avenue to Capital Circle closed permanently. ⁷⁵

14 October 1986: Capital Circle tunnel opened for inspection by guided tour as part of Professional Engineers Week. ⁷⁶

11 December 1986: The $5.5 million Capital Circle tunnel officially opened to traffic by the Minister For Territories, Mr Scholes. ⁷⁷

Canberra Avenue:

20 September 1928: Canberra Avenue name gazetted. ⁷⁸ Canberra Avenue was originally called Wellington Avenue. When Griffin drew up his plans in 1912, there was still some optimism that New Zealand might join the Federation of Australia. ⁷⁹

27 February 1952: The carriageways of Canberra Avenue converted to one way in each direction. ⁸⁰

15 May 1953: The first phase in the development of a two-lane divided highway to Queanbeyan started when work began on a two-mile road from Jerrabomberra Creek to serve the then new industrial area at and area known then as Molonglo. The overall scheme for straightening the curve near Molonglo siding involves the extension of Canberra Avenue in a straight line through a saddle in the hills, rejoining the existing route near Harman Naval Base. ⁸¹

February 1962: Reconstruction of the intersection at Geelong Street and Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick commenced with the widening of the pavement area and the erection of a traffic island. ⁸²

1965: Completion and opening of bridge over Jerrabomberra Creek. The bridge was constructed in conjunction with the development of a second carriageway of Canberra Avenue between Hume Place and Fyshwick. When the second carriageway and the bridge were completed the southern carriageway was closed temporarily to allow its bridge to be reconditioned. ⁸³

Priority Road signage installed on Canberra Avenue between State Circle and Hume Place. ⁸⁴

21 December 1965: The second carriageway of Canberra Avenue between Hume Circle and Geelong Street opened to traffic. It included the then newly completed bridge over Jerrabomberra Creek and intersections with Nyrang and Ipswich Streets. ⁸⁵

20 September 1968: Traffic lights at the corner of Canberra Avenue, Ipswich Street and Hindmarsh Drive (now Monaro Highway interchange) switched on. ⁸⁶

1976: Work commenced on duplication of Canberra Avenue between Fyshwick and Canberra. ⁸⁷

30 July 1976: The first stage of the duplication of Canberra Avenue between Fyshwick and the NSW border opened to traffic. ⁸⁸

9 May 1977: New route between Canberra and West Queanbeyan opened to traffic. It runs from the Queanbeyan side of HMAS Harman, crossed the Queanbeyan-Cooma Railway and joined with Kendall Avenue in Queanbeyan. ⁸⁹

16 August 1979: Work commenced on realignment and installation of traffic lights at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent and Canberra Avenue. ⁹⁰

16 April 1982: The NSW section of Canberra Avenue, linking Canberra Avenue from Kendall Avenue to Monaro Street in Queanbeyan opened by the then NSW Commissioner for Roads, Mr Bruce Loder. ⁹¹

February 1988: Work starts on Eastern Parkway (Monaro Highway extension), thus beginning relocation of Hindmarsh Drive and Canberra Avenue junction and construction of interchange at Fyshwick. ⁹²

22 November 1989: Opening of interchange of Canberra Avenue, Ipswich Street and Monaro Highway at Fyshwick. This also included the rerouting of NR23 between Sturt Avenue at the interchange. ⁹³

Hume Place (Hume Circle):

20 September 1928: Hume Place name gazetted (named after Australian Explorer, Hamilton Hume). ⁹⁴

March 1960: Work commenced on the roundabout at Hume Circle. Work included the extension of the eastern lane of Wentworth Avenue from Cunningham Street. ⁹⁵

December 1960: Hume Circle roundabout opened to traffic. ⁹⁶

Monaro Highway (Cooma Road):

October 1958: Cooma Road renamed Monaro Highway. This meant the route had a single name between Canberra and the Victorian border. ⁹⁷

1964: Channelisation works at the corner of Monaro Hwy and Jerrabomberra Av after representations by a local petition group. ⁹⁸

August 1967: The section of the Monaro Highway within in the ACT was the first road in the Territory in which a speed of more than 50 MPH is permitted. The Department of the Interior announced the new limit would be 60 MPH. ⁹⁹

February 1972: Speed limit reduced from 40 MPH to 35 MPH approaching the junction with Hindmarsh Drive. ¹⁰⁰

February 1988: Work started on Eastern Parkway project (Monaro Hwy) with the relocation of Hindmarsh Dr between Jerrabomberra Av and Canberra Av to allow construction of interchange and highway at Canberra Av / Ipswich St junction. ¹⁰¹

22 November 1989: Opening of interchange of Canberra Avenue, Ipswich Street and Monaro Highway at Fyshwick. This also included the rerouting of NR23 between Sturt Avenue at the interchange. ¹⁰²

11 November 1992: Monaro Highway name gazetted. ¹⁰³

March 2011: Work started on duplicating Monaro Hwy bridge over Canberra Av. ¹⁰⁴

August 2012: Work completed on duplicating Monaro Hwy bridge over Canberra Av. Work included construction of a new southbound carriageway and pavement overlay of the existing Northbound carriageway, construction of two Super T Girder bridges over rail and a cast in-situ box girder bridge over Canberra Avenue, installation of bridge safety screens for the bridges over Canberra Avenue, 150 metre reinforced earth retaining wall, the demolition of an existing railway over bridge, modification to an existing reinforced earth retaining wall and relocation of a 1283 millimetre diameter bulk water main supply across Ipswich Street. The upgrade was the final link in the duplication of the Monaro Highway. ¹⁰⁴

Click or tap here for the former NR23 alignment between Griffith and Symonston.

Acton to Fyshwick

UPDATED King Edward Terrace Junction:

Corner of Commonwealth Av and King Edward Tce at Parkes, October 2022. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Parkes, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive:

Inside the "Parliamentary Triangle" southbound, approaching the intersection with Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

NEW Intersection Directional Sign and Hand-painted Trailblazer:

ID sign and hand-painted trailblazer at the corner of Queen Victoria Tce, Coronation Dr and Commonwealth Av (NR23), Parkes, October 2019.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching State Circle:

Southbound at Parkes, approaching State Circle, Capital Hill and Parliament House, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Road Tunnel:

Looking southeast as you pass under Federation Mall on State Circle, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Road Tunnel:

Looking southeast as you pass under Federation Mall on State Circle, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Southbound Approaching Canberra Avenue:

Heading south near Barton and Capital Hill approaching the turn for NR23 / Canberra Avenue, January 2025. The TD5 overlay is covering an erroneous NR5 shield. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2010. The TD5 overlay is covering an erroneous NR5 shield.

Image © Paul Rands

National Circuit Intersection:

Intersection directional sign at the corner of Canberra Avenue and National Terrace at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

NEW Trailblazer:

1970s trailblazer on Canberra Av (NR23) approaching National Cct, Barton, January 2025.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Canberra Avenue at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Furneaux Street Intersection:

Manuka Circle approaching Furneaux Street at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Flinders Way Junction:

Corner of Manuka Circle and Flinders Way in Griffith, June 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:

Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:

Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, January 2025. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:

Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Intersection Directional Sign:

Black ID sign at the Dawes Street junction in Griffith, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:

Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Griffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:

Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Griffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:

Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009. NR23 once turned right at this location.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:

Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:

Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

UPDATED Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Canberra Avenue, near McMillan Cr at Fyshwick, January 2024. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from February 2010..

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Dalby Street at Fyshwick, June 2013. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Nyrang Street Junction:

Corner of Canberra Av and Nyrang St in Fyshwick, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hand Painted Speed Limit Sign:

Old hand painted 80 km/h speed limit sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick, approaching Monaro Highway (NR23 and former ALT-NR23 / TD5) and Ipswich Street. February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick, at the junction with Monaro Highway (NR23 and former ALT-NR23 / TD5) and Ipswich Street. February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Monaro Highway Interchange:

The interchange with Monaro Hwy (NR23 and former ALT-NR23 / TD5) at Fyshwick, December 2009. NR23 turns right at this location.

Image © Paul Rands

Fyshwick to Acton

Entering South Canberra:

Canberra Avenue at Narrabundah as it enters the region of South Canberra, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Nyrang Street Intersection:

Corner of Canberra Avenue and Nyrang Street in Narrabundah, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Dalby Street Junction:

Advance directional sign acting as an intersection directional sign at the junction with Dalby Street in Narrabundah, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Hume Place:

AD sign approaching Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 (and former TD5)), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Trailblazer:

Obsolete TD5 trailblazer approaching Hume Place at Griffith. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:

Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 (and former TD5)), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:

Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 (and former TD5)), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

NEW Trailblazer:

Trailblazer on Sturt Av at the roundabout with Canberra Av and Wentworth Av (Hume Pl), Griffith, January 2024.

Image © Paul Rands

Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:

Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Griffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Lefroy and Eyre Street Junction:

Canberra Avenue in Griffith at the junction with Eyre Street and Lefroy Street, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Intersection Directional Signs:

Approaching the junction with, Manuka Circle, Captain Cook Crescent in Griffith, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:

Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Flinders Way Junction:

Corner of Manuka Circle and Flinders Way in Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

NEW Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Flinders Way, Griffith (Manuka), January 2025.

Image © Paul Rands

National Circuit Intersection:

Canberra Avenue in Forrest at National Circuit. December 2009. Note Parliament House and St Andrews Church in the distance.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Canberra Av in Forrest, approaching State Circle and Capital Circle, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

State Circle Intersection:

Corner of Canberra Avenue, State Circle and Capital Circle in Forrest. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

State Circle Intersection:

Corner of Canberra Avenue, State Circle and Capital Circle in Forrest. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Directional Sign:

Black AD sign approaching Canberra Avenue on State Circle at Forrest, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Brisbane Avenue:

Heading north near the junction with Brisbane Avenue. Capital Hill is on the left of the road and the suburb of Barton is on the right, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Tourist Drive 6 Trailblazer:

TD6 (now defunct) trailblazer on Capital Hill near the junction with Brisbane Avenue, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kings Avenue at Capital Hill. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

End Tourist Drive 6:

End TD6 (now defunct) trailblazer on Capital Hill near the junction with Brisbane Avenue, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Federation Mall Overpass:

State Circle approaching the Federation Mall overpass on Capital Hill. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Commonwealth Avenue Overpass:

Advance directional sign near the Commonwealth Av overpass at Capital Hill, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Commonwealth Avenue On Ramp:

Intersection directional sign on the ramp from State Circle to Commonwealth Avenue, on Capital Hill, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for the Flynn Drive intersection on State Circle, as viewed from the Commonwealth Avenue on ramp. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive in Yarralumla. October 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

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

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kaye Street in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Kaye Street Junction:

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

Image © Paul Rands

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge:

Approaching Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands