As part of the ongoing work being conducted around the Woden Town Centre in preparation for the new CIT precinct and future light rail, there will be a number of road closures over the coming months.

Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said Callam Street in Woden will be closed to traffic from today, for work to get underway on the new public transport interchange. This is the first major component of the new CIT precinct, set to revitalise the Woden Town Centre. 

“Construction has begun on a safer, pedestrian-friendly and light rail-ready public transport interchange for Woden,” Mr Steel said.

“The new interchange will realise the Woden Master Plan’s vision for an interchange along Callam Street with 18 new stops – up from the current 11 – and includes construction of Woden’s light rail terminus.”

The design of the transport interchange means it is closely integrated with the new CIT campus, which will be built on the site of the old interchange. The projects will support more than 500 jobs and deliver on two major infrastructure projects promised at the 2020 election. 

When complete, more than 10,000 commuters will move through the interchange each day, while the CIT campus will be home to 6,500 students. The projects will reshape the eastern side of the town centre, designed to make “it livelier for local businesses and residents”, Mr Steel said in a media statement.

The new interchange and light rail stop means Callam Street – between Bradley and Matilda Streets – has been permanently closed to private vehicles. Motorists can use Melrose Drive, Yamba Drive, Launceston Street and Bowes Street to access the town centre. 

During the first phase of construction, Callam Street has also been closed between Bradley Street and Launceston Street, and Matilda Street has been closed with access for buses and limited access for the Hellenic Club only. The Matilda Street carpark will be accessible off Bowes Street. Part of Launceston Street will also close over the next few months, for the installation of new traffic light intersections.

Buses will maintain their current routes along Callam Street and will not experience delays through these works. The existing Woden bus station will remain operational until the new public transport interchange is operational in late 2022. 

“We understand these works will create some short-term disruption. We want to thank Woden residents and businesses for their patience, as we deliver better public transport services and a more vibrant town centre for Woden,” Mr Steel said.

The Woden Public Transport Interchange and CIT campus are just two of the major ACT Government infrastructure projects currently being delivered in Woden. Residents and businesses are invited to attend a community information session on all Woden projects-in-progress on Tuesday 7 December. To register, visit: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/woden-renewal

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