Major Projects Canberra is gearing up for the start of work early next year to build the next stage of light rail.
New site compounds will be established over the next few months to support Canberra Metro’s construction of Stage 2A from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park via City West.
The first compound will come online from 4 November across two car parks at the Acton Waterfront off Commonwealth Avenue and east of Barrine Drive.
The car parks will close for the duration of construction, but the parking area closest to Parkes Way will remain open, and parking will continue to be available in Commonwealth Park for park users.
Fencing will go up around the new compound from 4 November, followed by further compounds being established along the future 1.7 km alignment over the coming months.
The next compounds are slated for City West at the bus layover near ANU, to be established from 21 November; the City Hill car park, from early 2025; and Flynn Drive West (in the cloverleaf) from early 2025.
The site compounds will support hundreds of workers with amenities, house site offices, store machinery, equipment, tools and materials, and provide access to construction sites.
Work is continuing on the Raising London Circuit project which will create a level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue and support the light rail alignment to Commonwealth Park.
Construction of light rail Stage 2A will begin when this project concludes, bringing with it disruptions to traffic and businesses along London Circuit.
Stage 2A will run wire-free from Alinga Street along London Circuit, then turn right into Commonwealth Avenue down to Commonwealth Park.
Three new stops are planned – at Edinburgh Avenue, City South at the intersection of London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue and Commonwealth Park.
Sections of the track on parts of Northbourne Avenue, London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue will be green, using specially selected grass and vegetation to help reduce glare, noise and dust, as well as absorb rainwater and help the track blend into the surrounding landscape.
A new bridge over Parkes Way will need to be built in between the two Commonwealth Avenue bridges to carry light rail.
The project is expected to take three years for construction, commissioning and testing to be complete, with the first passengers to board in early 2028.
The ACT election result has settled doubts about the future of Stage 2B across Lake Burley Griffin to Woden.
It faces three years of negotiating multiple approvals, including from the Federal Parliament, and finalising the route.
A contract is expected to be signed, and work will start in 2028 after the opening of Stage 2A and take five years to complete.
The Chief Minister has said he was open to a progressive opening of Stage 2B, as suggested by the Public Transport Association, rather than waiting until the track is fully laid to Woden.
This would mean having a terminus near Parliament House to service the growing number of public servants and agencies in Barton.