The Government of the Australian Capital Territory has signed the contract with long term delivery partner Canberra Metro for the construction of Canberra LRT Stage 2A from the City to Commonwealth Park.
The construction can now start in 2024 to extend the network with 1.7 km of track and to add three new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Avenue, providing a greater connection between the city and the lake.
The alignment travelling along London Circuit will service more people needing to access the Australian National University (ANU), homes and businesses in City West and New Acton. This project is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments.
The second stage of the project includes a renewable powered system with batteries to be retrofitted to the light rail fleet. This will enable wire free travel between Alinga Street and Commonwealth Park. The service will be convenient for people which will be able to board a service every 5-15 minutes on the extended route. Light rail vehicles have three times the capacity of a bus.
Canberra LRT Stage 2A improves safety as two new signallised intersections on London Circuit at West Row and University Avenue will provide safe and controlled pedestrian and cyclist crossings; in-ground pedestrian lights in key locations to alert and remind pedestrians to cross the light rail tracks safely. The projects also will deliver protected cycleways on newly designed intersections at London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, and London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue; in addition, a cobbled median on London Circuit will help pedestrians and cyclists differentiate the light rail corridor from the roadway.
Stage 2A plans introduce landscape and aesthetic features that transform London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue. Features include ma landscape that will preserve and strengthen the historic character of Commonwealth Avenue as a wide tree-lined boulevard. This includes proposed pin oak plantings in the Commonwealth Avenue median; green track sections on parts of Northbourne Avenue, London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue. Green tracks help reduce glare, noise, and dust. It absorbs rainwater and helps the track blend into the surrounding landscape; construction of a new bridge over Parkes Way for light rail. It will lay in between the two Commonwealth Avenue bridges; and a discreet wire-free track to maintain Canberra’s iconic landmarks and views.
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