The Woden bus interchange was partly demolished today, as work begins on the new CIT Campus and light rail ready public transport interchange.

“This is the end of an era,” Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Skills and Minister for Transport, said.

The Woden interchange opened more than 50 years ago, on 4 December 1972, and was upgraded in 1982 and 1994. 683 buses stopped at the interchange’s 11 platforms each day. The last service to depart was route 59, which left platform 7 at 9.30pm on 29January.

But Mr Steel was more intent on the interchange’s future than its past.

“The significance of the works occurring today cannot be understated,” he said. “These projects represent the biggest infrastructure investments in the Woden Town Centre in more than 50 years.

• New interchange and bus timetable to cope with worst months of ACT’s light rail disruption (23 January)

“Once completed, the new CIT Woden campus will support up to 6,500 students each year, while the new interchange will cement Woden’s position as the major destination hub for Canberrans on the southside.”

The new campus will be on the site of the old interchange, and the new interchange will be on Callam Street.

“The precinct will be a completely integrated public transport and education hub with vibrant green spaces that welcome students, workers, business, and commuters,” Mr Steel said.

Following community consultation, the government and Lendlease Building will add:

• more shelter linking the CIT campus to the new public transport interchange;
• a pedestrian boulevard to Woden town square;
• a new Bowes Street and Bradley Street local shared zone;
• secure bike storage and lockup;
• public toilets;
• new green spaces and trees.

A Youth Foyer in the campus precinct will provide accommodation, support services, and education and training for vulnerable young people.

The new interchange will include passenger-friendly shelters with better weather protection, improved lighting and signage and technology to support electric buses and light rail.

Over the coming months, services and utilities at the site will be decommissioned; hazardous materials will be removed, and dust minimised via misting; there will be more trucks; plant and excavation equipment will arrive; and existing structures and pavements, including the old Woden bus interchange, will be demolished.

A temporary interchange will be in use until the new interchange is complete.

Development applications for the main works after demolition are being assessed.

The CIT campus precinct is expected to welcome its first students in 2025. Find out more and subscribe to construction updates here.

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