How the light rail extension will look on the city’s key intersection. Works will mean Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit east will be added to the disruption zone. Image: ACT Government.
Road closures to enable the construction of light rail Stage 2A to Commonwealth Park will next month extend to the eastern side of London Circuit as the project scope widens.
Infrastructure Canberra has laid out a new list of disruptions to traffic in the city after closing London Circuit west from Northbourne Avenue to Edinburgh Avenue earlier this month.
Businesses on London Circuit in the Sydney Building and Bailey’s Corner will also face impacts from the work.
From the evening of Wednesday, 12 March, sections of London Circuit east will also close to motorists and on-road cyclists between Northbourne Avenue and Theatre Lane, with fencing installed and in place until late 2026. However, pedestrian access will be maintained.
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.
Buses will still be able to use London Circuit east, as will delivery drivers going to Verity Lane.
Motorists approaching from the other end of London Circuit east will still be able to use Theatre Lane and access the adjacent theatre car park.
Northbourne Avenue between Alinga Street and Vernon Circle will become a pinch point with only two lanes open each way.
A change is coming to Civic. Image: Infrastructure Canberra.
Street assets 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 and relocating utilities in the ground.
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.
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 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.
The first tracks are expected to be laid by the end of the year.
To learn more, visit the Built for CBR website.
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