Preparing Canberrans for disruption: Road closure warning signs are in place on London Circuit east. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The next phase of traffic disruptions to enable work on the light rail Stage 2A extension to Commonwealth Park started last night (12 March), with London Circuit east closing to motorists and on-road cyclists for almost two years.
London Circuit west has been closed off between Northbourne Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue since 5 February, but now works on the key Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit intersection and into a section of London Circuit east near Bailey’s Corner are underway.
London Circuit east has closed between Northbourne Avenue and Theatre Lane, but people on foot and in wheelchairs will still be able to pass through.
Infrastructure Canberra says this will allow service relocations to be undertaken in the roadway and streetscape improvements to be completed before the road reopens to traffic in late 2026. Fencing will be in place until late 2026.
Northbourne Avenue between Alinga Street and Vernon Circle will also be affected, with only two lanes open each way.
Buses will still be able to use London Circuit east, as will delivery drivers going to Verity Lane.
An alternative delivery location for Bailey’s Corner businesses will also be implemented.
Motorists approaching from the other end of London Circuit east will still be able to enter Theatre Lane to access the adjacent theatre car park.
People can also expect the major intersection of Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit to be closed in the coming months so that a large stormwater drain can be relocated.
What the turn into London Circuit will look like when light rail Stage 2A is completed. Image: ACT Government.
In the meantime, street features such as trees, park benches, light poles and public art on London Circuit east and the Northbourne Avenue median between Alinga Street and London Circuit will be removed to prepare for construction works.
There will also be some changes to pedestrian pathways around London Circuit east and Northbourne Avenue, but access will be maintained to all businesses.
Crews will begin removing utilities in the ground and moving them to new locations.
Infrastructure Canberra says as works are completed across the alignment, sections of London Circuit will be reopened to support and maintain local access through the area.
People on foot will still be able to get to businesses along London Circuit, and signs will be put in place to assist customers, visitors and residents in navigating the area. Electronic variable message signs will also be positioned around the city to alert approaching drivers about the closures.
Infrastructure Canberra is urging people to use the online construction impacts map to stay up to date with road changes and other impacts from the construction of light rail and the raising London Circuit project.
The Australian and ACT Government jointly funded 1.7 km light rail extension is expected to be completed in 2027 but won’t take its first passengers until 2028 after commissioning is completed.
It will include three new stations – City West at Edinburgh Avenue, City South at the new intersection of London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue, and Commonwealth Park. The first tracks are expected to be laid by the end of the year.
To learn more, visit Built for CBR.
Loading ...
