The multinational engineering firm AECOM has been appointed the technical advisers for stage 2A of the light rail project from Civic to Commonwealth Park.
The firm has a proven track record on delivering light rail projects and securing high quality infrastructure outcomes for the community, said Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services.
AECOM will engage more than 160 locally-based specialists at its Canberra office.
AECOM’s Canberra area manager, Karen Billington, said the company was honoured to be selected.
“It is an opportunity to give back to the community around us and further enhance Canberra’s status as one of the world’s most liveable and competitive cities,” she said.
“We look forward to sharing our insights from other light rail projects and working on this transformational major infrastructure project which combines urban design, placemaking, heritage, sustainability, environment and engineering.”
The ACT Government also released updated delivery plans for Stage 2A today.
The first early works for light rail will begin before the end of the year. Planning and works approvals will be lodged around October.
Work will also begin this year on the new public transport interchange and light rail station at Woden.
Major construction works to raise London Circuit will start next year, and the first 1.7 kilometres of the light rail line from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park will be constructed.
Planning and design for the rest of the line to Woden will continue while these construction works are underway.
“It’s exciting to see our city’s biggest infrastructure project kicking into gear, which we expect will create over 6,000 jobs during design and construction,” Mr Steel said.
“The benefits of this project will be long lasting for Canberra: a frequent and reliable transport spine that better connects our major town centres and residential and employment hubs.”
The light rail project is part of the ACT Government’s $14 billion Infrastructure Plan. Stage 2A is jointly funded by the ACT Government and the Australian Government. The Federal Government has committed $132.5 million to stage 2A, part of what ACT Senator Zed Seseljacalled a “$1.4 billion Canberra infrastructure bonanza”.
“Infrastructure investment is critical to support jobs and the economy as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19, and I’m proud the Australian Government is committed to investing in Canberra,” Senator Seselja said.
The ACT Government has also developed a new virtual tour of the upcoming works, which shows three new traffic light intersections with London Circuit at West Row, University Avenue, and Commonwealth Avenue that will prioritise light rail vehicles and are designed to improve accessibility for pedestrians.
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