London Circuit between Constitution Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue will be closed from Friday 24 September to Tuesday 28 September, as work gets underway on light rail to Woden, Canberra’s biggest-ever infrastructure project.
Canberra’s roads are quieter during lockdown, making it a good time to relocate critical water and communications utilities in preparation for raising London Circuit next year, announced Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services.
“These initial works are not expected to create significant traffic disruption, but there will be changes to public parking access, and minor temporary traffic changes in the city,” Mr Steel warned.
The stretch of London Circuit will be closed after the Friday evening traffic peak.
Traffic diversions will re-route drivers into the city via Vernon Circle and along Edinburgh and Constitution Avenues.
A construction site compound has been established in the carpark on the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue. Some car parks have been lost, but around 400 carparks – including disability parking – remain available.
Work has already started on moving underground utilities from London Circuit to a new alignment on Constitution Avenue, Vernon Circle, and Edinburgh Avenue.
Doing this work now reduces the risk of damaging critical utilities when the government raises the Circuit, builds stations, and lays track, Mr Steel said.
These utility relocations are expected to take nine months. Expect more temporary changes to local traffic arrangements. As activity progresses, any changes will be published as new works notifications at act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden.
The ACT Government has also opened a competitive two-stage tender process for raising London Circuit to create an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue.
In the first stage, the government seeks expressions of interest from pre-qualified construction companies, and closes on 14 October. The government will evaluate responses, and invite a short list of providers to participate in the Request for Tender process later in the year.
Canberrans can expect more significant impacts on traffic, public transport, and active travel routes to and from the city when the London Circuit main construction works get underway in 2022.
“Raising London Circuit up to the same level of Commonwealth Avenue will create people-oriented streets, providing better connections for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport,” Mr Steel said.
“This project and light rail will make Canberra a more vibrant, sustainable and connected city, supporting more than 6000 jobs in construction.”
More information on light rail to Woden is available at act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden.
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