Australian Capital Territory Road Photo Gallery:
National Highway 23 (Federal Highway)

Upgraded from National Route 23 in 1974, with the introduction of the National Highway system, National Highway 25 continues on from the Federal Highway in New South Wales, and was constructed to serve Sydney-Canberra traffic in the 1930's, opening to traffic in July 1931, access to Canberra before this was via Gunning (using what is now known as Sutton-Gundaroo Road, Sutton Road and Gundaroo Road) or Tarago.

The ACT section of NH25 is quite short, travelling just 7 kilometres from the NSW-ACT Border to the junction with the Barton Highway and Northbourne Avenue at Downer.

The entire route is 4-lane dual carriageway with 2 lanes in each direction for north and southbound traffic. The route features both at grade intersections and also a grade-separated interchange with Alternate National Route 23, Majura Road and also Horse Park Drive, both in the North Canberra locale. The section of highway between the border and Stirling Avenue Watson was upgraded to dual carriageways in 1999 and completed in December 2002. Previously the Federal Highway was a single carriageway, 1 lane in each direction affair.

Length:	7 km
Route Numbers:

ACT Welcome Sign
Southbound crossing from New South Wales in the Australian Capital Territory. This sign is a newer version of one of a similar design built in the 1960s or 70s. This sign was erected sometime between 1999 and 2002 as part of the duplication to motorway standards of this section of Federal Highway. Heading north is a similar sign with New South Wales on it. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Southbound, North Canberra
Looking south in the North Canberra locale, between the NSW-ACT border and the Majura Road (ALT-NR23) and Horse Park Drive interchange. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Majura Road / Horse Park Drive Interchange
Southbound approaching the interchange for Majura Road (ALT-NR23) and Horse Park Drive, North Canberra..

Image © Paul Rands

Majura Road / Horse Park Drive Interchange
Southbound through the interchange for Majura Road (ALT-NR23) and Horse Park Drive, North Canberra. Note Telstra Tower atop Black Mountain, in the distance. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign
Large RD as you head southbound at Watson, just before the Antill Street roundabout, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Antill Street
Southbound advance directional sign for the Antill Street roundabout at Watson, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Antill Avenue Approach
Southbound at Watson, approaching Antill Avenue, note the white lines across the lanes - they're used to alert drivers to the upcoming roundabout as they come out of an 80 km/h zone. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Antill Street Roundabout
Southbound signage and exit from the Antill Street roundabout at Watson, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign
Large RD as you head southbound at Watson, just after the Antill Street roundabout and before the Stirling Avenue traffic lights, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Stirling Av, Watson
Southbound approaching the signalised junction with Stiring Avenue & the Shell service station at Watson, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Stirling Avenue Intersection
Southbound carriageway of the Federal Highway as it passes across Stirling Avenue's signalised intersection, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign
Southbound RD sign after the Stirling Avenue junction at Watson, July 2006. Note the incorrect NR23 sheild on the sign. Phillip Avenue is where the signals are in the distance.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Barton Highway
Southbound after Phillip Avenue Watson as you approach the turn off to the Barton Highway (National Highway 25), and also the southern terminus of the Federal Highway. Downer, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign
AD sign for the Barton Highway intersection, southbound at Downer. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

End National Highway 23
The southern terminus of the Federal Highway at Downer, the road continues are Northbourne Avenue, National Route 23. Southbound, July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands