The Federal Government this morning announced they will invest $132.5 million of funding toward stage 2A of Canberraโs light rail network.
The $132.5 million investment is roughly double the $67 million funding the Federal Government financed toward the Gungahlin-to-Civic leg.
With procurement on the project still underway, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said he expects construction to commence in the 2021-22 financial year, and for โtracks to be laidโ by the next Territory election in 2024.
โWhilst this project will be very disruptive during construction, it will deliver long-term transport and economic benefits for our city, with better quality mass transit, powered by 100% renewable electricity.โ
The ACT Government is yet to disclose how much the ACT Government expects stage 2A to cost, with Mr Steel citing the governmentโs desire to maintain a competitive advantage throughout the tender process.
โWe will reveal that in due course,โ he told ABC Radio Canberraโs Breakfast this morning.
The ACT Budget 2020-21 estimated the total cost for Stage 2A and works to raise London Circuit, including design, construction, purchase of additional light rail vehicles, an additional depot, and project management, to be in the range of $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion.
Stage 2A will add 1.7 km of track and three new stops south of the existing line in Civic, operating โwire freeโ from Alinga Street through to Commonwealth Park.
The ACT Government expects an additional 2,500-3,000 passengers a day in the first operating year.
Mr Steel said light rail stage one has already seen more Canberrans who previously didnโt use public transport take it up.
โMore than 43% of people surveyed stated they had never used public transport before catching light rail,โ he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the funding comes as part of the Australian Governmentโs $110 billion investment pipeline.
โExtending the light rail will also create jobs and bust congestion in the ACT by improving public transport and pedestrian and cyclist safety,โ Mr McCormack said.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledged the contribution from the Federal Government emphasised the importance of the project for the Territory.
โThe Commonwealthโs support for the project is welcomed, and it follows in the footsteps of the financial support received for stage one of the ACTโs light rail network,โ Mr Barr said.
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said for Canberrans, extending the Gungahlin-City light rail made sense.
โIt is important we get light rail right for Canberrans. With construction anticipated to commence in 2022, stage 2A is the first leg of bringing light rail to Woden, and will extend the existing route by three stops to Commonwealth Park,โ he said.
In addition to the cost of the construction of light rail stage 2A are the corresponding works to raise London Circuit to form a level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue.
$2.1 million funding was put aside in the ACT Governmentโs 2020-21 Budget for early design works to raise London Circuit.
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