Works Approval for Stage 2A of the light rail network are now open for public comment.

Designs and an Environmental Assessment were submitted to the National Capital Authority (NCA) and ACT Planning and Land Authority in December.

The Development Application will be open for public comment shortly.

These documents will be available for Canberrans to review and have their say until 11 May.

Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A, the first step in extending the network south to Woden, will feature an additional 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track, including three new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South, and Commonwealth Park, the ACT Government said.

The Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT governments.

The ACT government says the final plans reveal new details about the project design, including:

• a landscape developed with the NCA to retain and strengthen the historic and scenic character of Commonwealth Avenue as a wide tree-lined boulevard consistent with the original designs by the Burley Griffins. This includes proposed pin oak plantings in the Commonwealth Avenue median.
• two new signalised intersections on London Circuit at West Row and University Avenue, which will provide safe and controlled pedestrian and cyclist crossings
• in-ground pedestrian lights in key locations to alert and remind pedestrians to cross light rail tracks safely
• protected cycle ways on newly-designed intersections at London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, as well as London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue
• a cobbled median on London Circuit West to differentiate the light rail corridor from the roadway
• grass track sections on parts of Northbourne Avenue, London Circuit, and Commonwealth Avenue
• a new inset bridge for the light rail constructed over Parkes Way in between the two Commonwealth Avenue bridges.

The plans being released for public exhibition include tracks, stops, light rail systems, associated infrastructure and landscaping for Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A.

The ACT Government received Works Approval from the NCA for raising London Circuit.

Pending planning approvals and procurement processes, the Stage 2A extension is expected to start soon after London Circuit is raised.

Fact sheets and Environmental Assessment chapter summaries have been developed to help the community make a submission for this project. These are available at: https://www.act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden.

Pedal Power says government must address serious issues

Cycling advocacy group Pedal Power ACT welcomed the release of the Works Approval Public Consultation documents, but said serious issues with the active travel component must be addressed before construction begins.

Pedal Power was pleased protected cycle lanes will be built around most of the western side of London Circuit, and protected intersections built on the corner of London Circuit and Northbourne Ave and the corner of London Circuit and Commonwealth Drive.

“These protected intersections are the first of their kind in Canberra, and will provide an important template for future developments across the city,” Pedal Power executive director Simon Copland said.

But Pedal Power is “extremely disappointed” that the protected cycle lane stops between University Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue going southwards, and between Edinburgh Avenue and West Row going northwards.

“In both instances, cyclists will end up riding either on the road or the pedestrian footpath, neither of which are safe outcomes,” Mr Copland said. “This will create ‘missing links’ that will stop people from cycling.

“Building an excellent segregated bike path with a missing section almost negates the benefit of having the path in the first place. The Government has informed us that they cannot build a segregated path in this section due to a lack of space. We reject this. Lack of space is often quoted as a reason for missing paths or missing sections, but examples of other cities both overseas and in Australia prove this issue can often be overcome. Besides, forcing cyclists on the road with no separation from cars in narrow areas makes for a very dangerous situation.”

Pedal Power also encouraged the Government to extend the protected cycle lane to run from the London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue intersection down Northbourne Avenue, around Vernon Circle and to the Commonwealth Bridge.

“This would be an extremely valuable piece of cycling infrastructure that would increase connections to the lake,” Mr Copland said. “Not having this will create further missing links in our system. Given the existing disruptions to roads in the area due to the Light Rail work, this would be the ideal time to build this infrastructure.

“Light rail is an important city-building project that will help create a fully integrated transport system in Canberra. We look forward to light rail stage 2A being built and for the next stage to be built to Woden. However, we call on the Government to make the most of this opportunity by ensuring the cycling infrastructure is of world-leading standard.”