Work begins this week on Woden’s new public transport interchange, which Chris Steel, Minister for Transport and City Services, called an important first step in the regeneration of Woden Town Centre.
The present interchange was built in 1972 – and the community has told the ACT Government it needs renovation.
“The current facility is well past its use-by date,” said Ryan Hemsley, chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra. “People don’t feel safe using it. And if Woden is to become a liveable, accessible modern town centre, it needs to have a modern, accessible public transport interchange.”
As part of the Woden Town Centre Master Plan (2015), the government will build an on-street interchange on Callam Street, with 18 bus stops (seven more than at present) and a light rail terminus.
Phase 1 of construction includes bus layovers on Launceston and Easty Streets, where drivers can park their buses while they use bathrooms or eat; and new signalised intersections on Launceston Street to facilitate bus movements onto Callam Street.
An east-west boulevard will be extended from Woden Town Square to Callam Street and Woden Town Park. The government will build a new north-south connection from Bradley Street to Bowes Street as a local access shared zone; public consultation through YourSay.
The result, Mr Steel said: “A much more closely integrated interchange that is safer, provides better shelter, and enables the rest of the Town Centre to redevelop.”
The new interchange will be finished in 2022. Mr Steel warned that this would be “a very disruptive project” for the Woden community and businesses in the short term.
Callam Street will be permanently closed to private vehicles between Bradley Street and Matilda Street from mid-August. Cars will need to use alternative routes like Melrose Drive, Yamba Drive, and Easty Street. Car parks will remain open, and drivers can access the Hellenic Club via Launceston Street.
“Don’t avoid the area,” Mr Hemsley implored. “Woden absolutely needs people; town centres die without people. Bear with it! We’ve got a fantastic public transport interchange coming, and what will be at the end of this is a much, much better town centre that you’ll want to visit.”
The new interchange was just one of the key anchor projects in the regeneration of Woden Town Centre, Mr Steel said.
Once the new interchange has been completed, the current one will be demolished, and a new CIT Woden campus built, accommodating up to 6,500 students and staff. Government will consult the public on its design.
“Light rail, a new community centre, the CIT Woden Campus, and private redevelopment will renew the town centre, providing better scenes, better connections, and a more sustainable way of living, drawing more people into the town centre to dine and use local businesses,” Mr Steel said.
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