“There will be a number of years of traffic disruption,” transport minister Chris Steel said today, announcing that London Circuit will be closed from next Friday, 2 December, to extend light rail from Civic to Commonwealth Park – stage 2A of light rail to Woden, the biggest infrastructure project in the ACT’s history.

At least four years, it seems: two years to raise London Circuit to the same level as Commonwealth Avenue, and another two years to build three stops and lay 1.7 km of track. That will take the CBD roadworks to the end of 2026 or 2027.

Mr Steel said the major infrastructure project is important for the city’s future: a north-south mass transit spine will better connect north and south Canberra. Light rail, the government intends, will eventually connect all the ACT – necessary, they believe, given Canberra’s high level of car dependency is unsustainable. A predicted population of 620,000 by 2046 will result in a congested road network, while smart public transport will make Canberra liveable and competitive, according to the government’s transport plan.

But Mr Steel warned last year that construction works would congest traffic: Commonwealth Avenue would be almost unnavigable until 2026, while peak hour traffic on other major arterial roads would increase by more than half, increasing commuting times by 15 minutes.

• Four years of traffic congestion from light rail works (21 July 2021)

Even once stage 2A is complete, stage 2B, Commonwealth Park to Woden, remains to be built. The Canberra Liberals claim that won’t be delivered until early in the 2030s.

“Canberrans can expect to see significant traffic congestion in and out of the city from the south particularly for the next decade,” Mark Parton, shadow minister for transport, said.

‘Rethink your routine’

From 2 December, the southern end of London Circuit between Edinburgh and Constitution Avenues will be closed; two western cloverleaf ramps on Commonwealth Avenue leading to City East and City West will permanently close.

“This will mean that Canberrans will need to think about how they move through the city,” Mr Steel said.

The public, particularly Canberrans travelling to Civic from the south, should “rethink your routine”, he said – how and when they travel around the CBD. They should use public transport, or avoid travel during peak periods.

“Traffic mitigation measures will ensure Canberrans and visitors can still access the city, visit their favourite shops and cafés, or receive the local services they need,” Mr Steel said. “We just ask everyone to plan their trip and be patient while changes take place.”

“It is all well and good for the minister to tell Canberrans to rethink their route and travel at different times, but the reality is for many that is not a practical solution,” Mr Parton retorted.

New traffic signals on Vernon Circle will be switched on from 2 December, so drivers can access Constitution Avenue, while buses can use a new lane to access the city interchange from Vernon Circle, servicing all stops in Civic. A new Edinburgh Avenue extension will provide an access point into City West and the northern end of London Circuit. (Full details of alternative traffic routes are at the end of this article.)

“We understand this will take a level of adjustment for Canberrans as they move through the city,” Mr Steel said.

“We still want Canberrans to come into the city to shop, to work, and to spend time, but it will mean thinking a little bit differently about how they move around, and what times they move around – perhaps taking more time to plan their trip.”

Raising London Circuit, Mr Steel said, will create a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians, and revitalise the southern part of Canberra’s CBD, including the Canberra Theatre Precinct and Acton Waterfront; the ACT Government has major works planned for both.

At the same time, the National Capital Authority will strengthen Commonwealth Bridge and widen works to increase the bridge’s load-bearing capacity.

• Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to receive a facelift (12 October)
• Canberra Theatre redevelopment update (10 November)

‘Getting on with the job’

“Project planning [for light rail] has been more than a decade in the making,” Mr Steel said. “It’s what Canberrans voted for at multiple elections, and now we’re getting on with the job of delivering that promise.”

Many are not convinced. Some have called light rail a white elephant, exorbitantly expensive, outmoded technology. Others, like independent Senator David Pocock, believe trackless light rail or electric buses might be a better, less disruptive option.

Many, too, are angry that $85.9 million in the Federal budget was reallocated, at the ACT Government’s behest, to light rail from road infrastructure. Others feel that their taxes and rates have gone up to pay for light rail, while basic services have deteriorated.

Road spending reallocated to light rail stage 2A (2 November)

“You know, I talk to my mates at the club, and almost all of them reckon this is just a stupid idea,” one pensioner said. “That’s the whole tram thing. Lots of people who say they’re experts reckon that there are faster, cheaper ways of getting between the city and Woden – like electric buses. You don’t have to dig up the roads, rebuild the bridge, and pull out big old trees, and you can use more of these types of buses more often. So my mates and me can’t work out why the government is sticking with this. Watch your parking fines and rates go up!”

Other routes to the city

New traffic lights and a bus lane on Vernon Circle will support traffic flow during construction. Buses will use Vernon Circle to access the city interchange from Friday 2 December, and will continue to service all stops in the city.

The footpath near City Hill is being extended to allow safer pedestrian movement.

Detours will maintain access to Constitution Avenue, City East and West, and Parkes Way eastbound from Commonwealth Avenue during the works.

South Canberra motorists can access City West:

•           Using Vernon Circle and Northbourne Avenue turning west onto London Circuit.

•           Using Vernon Circle to turn onto Edinburgh Avenue.

•           Using Parkes Way Eastbound and using the exit onto Edinburgh Avenue.

•           Using Parkes Way westbound, then using the Lawson Crescent exit to turn right on to Edinburgh Avenue.

South Canberra motorists can access City East:

•           Using Vernon Circle and Northbourne Avenue turning east on London Circuit.

•           Using Vernon Circle to turn onto Constitution Avenue.

•           Using Parkes Way Eastbound to turn into either Coranderrk St or Allara St to get onto Constitution Avenue.

•           Accessing the area via Kings Avenue Bridge, Parkes Way and the Coranderrk Street roundabout.

South Canberra motorists can access Parkes Way eastbound by:

•           Using Vernon Circle to turn onto Edinburgh Avenue, then exiting Edinburgh Avenue onto Parkes Way eastbound.

•           Using Vernon Circle North, then Constitution Avenue, then Coranderrk Street to join Parkes Way eastbound.

•           Exiting Parkes Way westbound from Commonwealth Avenue, then using the Lawson Crescent exit to turn right and head back to Parkes Way eastbound.

•           Using Kings Avenue Bridge instead of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.

The construction program will change at various points, Mr Steel said. The ACT Government will update the community about the project.

For more information on upcoming traffic changes and alternative travel options, visit BuiltforCBR.act.gov.au/travel-impacts.