Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, has today announced the appointment of consulting firms Arup, CBRE, Tract, Brown Consulting and Purdon Associates to undertake the Canberra Light Rail Master Plan project.
“The tender process for this important project was highly competitive with eight submissions received, including both national and international companies” Mr Corbell said.
“The government committed to a light rail network from Gungahlin to Civic in 2012. Work is currently being undertaken on the first stage with construction to begin in 2016.”
“It is also important for us to begin investigations on where future stages of this network will go, which includes Russell, Canberra Airport, the Parliamentary Triangle, Kingston, Woden, Erindale, Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Kippax, Lanyon, Weston Creek and Molonglo. Our goal is to ensure we get the best value for money, while providing world class public transport options for the Canberra community.”
The master plan project will explore options for a potential future citywide light rail network that will seek to maximise the significant social, economic and environmental opportunities that light rail transport can provide to cities.
“Public consultation is an important component of this project and community engagement will be sought on potential network options later in the year.”
The Capital Metro Agency will continue to focus on the delivery of Capital Metro Stage one between Gungahlin and City, while the ACT Government investigates potential future extensions of the light rail network.
The draft Light Rail Master Plan will be completed by early 2015. For more information visit www.transport.act.gov.au. Information on the current work being undertaken on Stage 1 of Capital Metro (Gungahlin to city centre) can be found at www.capitalmetro.act.gov.au
(Simon Corbell media release)