Sections of Commonwealth Avenue and Vernon Circle will be temporarily closed over coming weeks for Light Rail Stage 2A works.

Construction crews plan to install a rail track slab and improve to utilities along the alignment.

The works have been scheduled to minimise the number of closures. Closures will occur at night and on weekends where possible to reduce the impact on traffic.

Commonwealth Avenue traffic changes

Thursday 19 March – Monday 23 March

• The Parkes Way westbound off ramp onto Commonwealth Avenue (southbound) will be closed from Thursday 19 March 10pm to Friday 20 March 4am. Detours will be in place.
• Commonwealth Avenue northbound will be reduced to one lane between Albert Street (west) and Parkes Way from Thursday 19 March 8pm to Friday 20 March 5am, and Friday 20 March 8pm to Monday 23 March 5am.  

Wednesday 25 March – Monday 30 March

• Commonwealth Avenue southbound will be reduced to one lane between Parkes Way and Albert Street (east) from Wednesday 25 March 8pm to Thursday 26 March 5am and Thursday 26 March 8pm to Monday 30 March 5am.
• The Albert Street (east) entry will also be closed from Thursday 26 March 8pm to Saturday 28 March 6am. Detours will be in place.
• Full closure of Commonwealth Avenue northbound lanes from Thursday 26 March 8pm and southbound lanes from Friday 27 March 8pm between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle. Commonwealth Avenue will then be closed in both directions between Parkes Way and Vernon circle until Monday 30 March 5am. Detours will be in place.

Other traffic changes and closures

• A short section of Commonwealth Avenue southbound near Parkes Way will remain reduced to one lane until 31 March.
• Commonwealth Avenue southbound will be reduced to one lane between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle from Monday 30 March 5am to Monday 27 April 5am.
• Full closure of Commonwealth Avenue northbound lanes between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle from Thursday 16 April 8pm to Monday 20 April 5am. Detours will be in place.

The public is urged to plan ahead.

“These temporary changes will impact how people travel to and around the city, including during major events such as the Canberra Balloon Spectacular,” Infrastructure Canberra said. “Road users are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, follow all detours and traffic control, and check live travel conditions before travelling.”

The works also coincide with the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project, delivered by the National Capital Authority, which has closed the northbound span of the bridge.

Information on travel impacts is available at www.act.gov.au/builtforcbr/travel-impacts and the community can register for updates at www.act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden