Frequently Asked Questions

Canberra is growing rapidly. By 2030 our city is predicted to be home to more than 500,000 people.

The light rail network is being built to meet our city’s future transport needs. Expansion of the light rail network will help reduce traffic congestion on our roads and contribute to planned and thoughtful urban development. Stage 2 of light rail will connect to Stage 1 and create a public transport spine, connecting Canberra’s north and south.

The light rail network is a core component in creating one of Australia’s most sustainable cities and reducing congestion. Each light rail vehicle can transport as many passengers as three buses and operates on dedicated track, which eliminates congestion-related delays associated with transport that relies on sharing road carriageway with motor vehicles.

Light Rail to Woden is Canberra’s biggest ever infrastructure project. The first stages of work involve:

• raising London Circuit to provide an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue (currently under construction)
• delivering 1.7 kilometres of track connecting the current Alinga Street terminus to Commonwealth Park. This will include three new light rail stops – at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park.

While these works are underway, detailed design and approvals will continue to take light rail all the way to Woden.

The delivery Light Rail to Woden will coincide with major works by the National Capital Authority to strengthen Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, and several large private development projects around the City West construction zone.

Together, these projects will see an unprecedented level of construction activity happening in the Canberra’s CBD over the next few years.

Canberra is growing rapidly. By 2030 our city is predicted to be home to more than 500,000 people.

As Canberra’s population grows and road congestion increases, road travel times are also expected to increase over time for cars and buses.

Light rail provides a high capacity, frequent and accessible mode of transport that offers a consistent and reliable journey.

Each light rail vehicle can transport as many passengers as three buses and operates on dedicated track, which eliminates congestion-related delays associated with transport that relies on sharing road carriageway with motor vehicles.

Light rail has also proven to positively affect city-shaping and transport outcomes. Light rail is designed with place making in mind to complement and improve adjacent land usage. Extending the light rail will provide a sustainable, frequent and high-capacity transport system as well as provide infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclists and support future development.

Zero-emissions buses are being procured by the ACT Government and will still be an important element of Canberra's transport network as we transition to a zero emissions public transport fleet by 2040. Light rail will act as a mass-transit system linking north and south of the city, integrated with zero-emissions buses to the suburbs.

Light Rail stage 2A between the City and Commonwealth Park is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and ACT Governments. The Commonwealth Government is contributing $218.385 million towards the project.

Three new stops will extend the light rail network by 1.7 kilometres. Stops will be added at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park. The Edinburgh Avenue stop is expected to be one of the busiest stops, helping commuters access City West, the ANU and the New Acton precinct.

It is planned for the current light rail route (Gungahlin to City) to continue down Northbourne Avenue and turn right onto London Circuit after the Alinga Street stop. It will then loop around the west side of London Circuit to Commonwealth Avenue. The tracks will then turn right onto Commonwealth Avenue to reach Commonwealth Park. This will be possible once London Circuit has been raised to create a level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue.

Going through City Hill directly was considered, however London Circuit was selected as the preferred route. City Hill is a registered Heritage place within the ACT, is an important element of urban design and is an integral component of the Griffin Plan, being an apex of the Parliamentary Triangle.

The proposed route via London Circuit has a larger catchment of users and will better service people going to the ANU, City West and the New Acton precinct. The Edinburgh Avenue stop is expected to be one of the most popular stops, servicing one of the busiest parts of the city, including multiple workplaces and businesses.

The distance between Alinga Street and Edinburgh Avenue is comparable to stop distances in light rail Stage 1 (Gungahlin to City).

The National Capital Design Review Panel reviewed the route and locations in detail and considered several factors including:

• the need for stop locations to sit on extended straight lines
• the need to consider traffic complexity for safety and ease of access

• the need for stops to be reasonably spaced apart to be practical, noting expected patronage. The higher the expected local population density and predicted usage, the closer together the stops will become
• competing priorities between the technical, design and usage elements.

The possibility of placing a stop close to University Avenue was investigated, but there was not enough room to construct a stop in this location without impacting access to the City Police station and existing roads that feed into London Circuit. Engagement with stakeholders around the stop location also confirmed an Edinburgh Avenue stop as the preferred location.

The new Edinburgh Avenue stop will be designed to conveniently accommodate high volumes of pedestrians and provide suitable access to the courts, nearby government buildings and the Australian National University.

Approximately 100 trees are expected to be removed as part of the construction of light rail Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park) to facilitate the proposed works and site access.

Following construction, more than 140 trees would be planted within the area, including new mature trees along Commonwealth Avenue in the median and the verges, as part of an overall landscape succession plan for Commonwealth Avenue.

Adding five new vehicles to the fleet ensures the number of peak hour services that are currently provided between Gungahlin and the City are maintained when services are extended to Commonwealth Park.

This capacity will serve Canberra’s population into the future as the city’s population grows and the network expands to Woden.

Manufacturing, delivery, testing and commissioning of LRVs takes several years. By ordering these vehicles now, the ACT Government is ensuring that Stage 2A can begin operations as soon as possible after construction is complete without affecting current light rail services.

The delivery of new LRVs and retrofit program is expected to take at least four years. New LRVs will come pre-fitted with batteries and must be delivered before the retrofit of the existing LRVs can commence. This way, they can be put into service on the Gungahlin to City route while other vehicles are upgraded.

These new LRVs come pre-fitted with batteries known as an Onboard Energy Storage System (OESS) which powers the vehicles in the wire free section.

The OESS technology enables the system to store and use energy from the ACT Government’s 100 per cent renewable energy grid. The LRVs are also capable of capturing energy from braking, called regenerative braking, which can be stored in the batteries to then power the vehicle.

The five new LRVs will progressively enter service, with the first vehicle expected to arrive in 2024. All five are planned to be in service prior to the completion of construction activities on Light Rail Stage 2A.

The ACT Government’s current preferred alignment for Stage 2B would pass Parliament House via the east side of State Circle. This alignment proposes nine new light rail stops in the vicinity of Albert Hall, Kings Avenue, Sydney Avenue, Melbourne Avenue, Hopetoun Circuit, Kent Street, Carruthers Street, Phillip Oval and a terminus at the Woden Public Transport interchange.

The ACT Government has lodged an Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) referral to the Australian Government. This referral enables the ACT Government to consider and study the preferred alignment past Parliament Houser via State Circle East, as well as alternative stops in the National Triangle and Barton. This approach will ensure the project can be flexible and responsive as planning work progresses.

Stop locations will be considered as part of the broader Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for Stage 2B. There will be further engagement with the community to seek feedback as design development continues. Visit the interactive map to have your say and leave a comment.

Stage 2B is a complex project.

While the State Circle East option remains the ACT Government’s preferred alignment, the revised EPBC Act referral will allow all options to be thoroughly considered.

Each potential alignment poses different benefits and impacts that will be explored through the technical studies supporting the Environmental Impact Statement.

This approach will ensure the project can be flexible and responsive as planning work progresses.

Stage 2B is subject to several Australian and Territory Government environment and planning approval processes.
Specifically, Stage 2B requires the following approvals:

• Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the EPBC Act for the areas of the footprint that would impact on protected Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and Commonwealth land. This approval process is underway.
• Australian Government National Capital Authority (NCA) under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (PALM Act) for Works Approval for the areas of the footprint impacting on Designated Areas under the National Capital Plan (NCP).
• Through ACT Territory Planning Authority (TPA) processes under Planning Act 2023 (Planning Act) Stage 2B is required to complete an EIS prior to commencing  the process to seek Development Approval for the areas of the footprint impacting on Territory land that is not Designated.
• Both Houses of Parliament under the Commonwealth Parliament Act 1974 for the areas of the footprint impacting on the Parliamentary Zone.

Stage 2B is the largest change to the landscape of our National Capital since the construction of New Parliament House in the 1980’s.  It will extend the light rail network along Commonwealth Avenue, over Lake Burley Griffin by way of a new dedicated light rail bridge, through areas of national significance within the National Triangle and on to Woden.

Due to the complexity of Stage 2B, substantial design, assessment, studies, consultation, planning reviews and approvals are required. It will also require approval from multiple levels of government and both houses of the Australian Parliament.

Careful and considerate planning will help preserve the National Triangle’s cultural and heritage significance, maintain the well-known vistas that Canberra is known for, and ensure Canberrans have access to reliable and convenient public transport options.

Stage 2B design is in early stages with detailed investigations and studies underway. These studies and investigations, together with consultation will inform design development over time.

The alignment via State Circle East is the preferred option given the reduced planning risk due to consistency with the National Capital Plan.

Extending the light rail via State Circle East has been the ACT Government’s preferred alignment since 2018 following advice from the Commonwealth Joint Standing Committee, which noted in principle support for the alignment.

A new bridge structure will be constructed to allow the light rail to travel between the existing road bridges across Lake Burley Griffin. These works are in addition to the National Capital Authority’s Commonwealth Avenue Bridge renewal project.

The bridge design for light rail will be considered as part of the broader Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to be undertaken for Stage 2B. There will be further engagement with the community to seek feedback as design development continues.

Stage 2B is a complex project, requiring multiple approvals through Australian and Territory Government approval bodies. Estimated delivery timeframes are dependent on achieving these project approvals.

A business case will be developed once key Australian and Territory Government environment and planning approvals are further progressed.

Further work on design and approvals will provide greater clarity on investment requirements and associated delivery timeframes for Stage 2B.

Around 60,000 cubic metres of fill will be used to raise London Circuit by six metres and change the current overpass-underpass road configuration to form an at-level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. The two cloverleaf ramps (North West and South West) will be removed.

The works also include road improvements, new pedestrian footpath links, dedicated cycle lanes and major landscaping improvements.

Prior to London Circuit being raised new traffic lights have been installed at the junction of Northbourne Avenue and Vernon Circle and a new bus lane has been installed in the Vernon Circle north slip lane to provide safe movements into Constitution Avenue and London Circuit. A new footpath is also being installed at City Hill between Constitution Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue.

When complete, the project will connect the City Centre to Lake Burley Griffin, unlocking new opportunities for diverse land use, improving active travel connections across the city and creating high quality, attractive and functional public spaces.

Raising London Circuit will not only enable the extension of light rail, but it will also help activate the southern part of Canberra’s CBD and Canberra Theatre Precinct as well as improve the connection to the Acton Waterfront. It will also create a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.

In short, raising London Circle will:

• Provide better pedestrian links between the city and the lake
• Improve active travel connections across the city
• Create high quality, attractive and functional public spaces, unlocking new opportunities for diverse land use
• Enable light rail to Woden

By permanently removing the cloverleaf ramps, work can be undertaken safely to raise London Circuit to create an at-level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. The removal will also allow for future development of these areas and create a much safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

Detour maps are accessible via the Built for CBR website, at https://www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au/travel-impacts. Please allow extra travel time and consider travelling outside of peak periods.

There is no plan to close the cloverleaf exit leading from Parkes Way onto Commonwealth Avenue southbound as part of this project. This exit will therefore remain operational but some short-term traffic changes may be required for pavement resurfacing and drainage work to the cloverleaf.

Around 665 car parks of the city’s approximately 14,780 public parking spaces will be changed or removed as part of the raising of London Circuit (RLC) works. Where possible, parking spaces will be reinstated following the completion of construction, with around 70 of these to be permanently removed to provide space for the future raised Commonwealth Avenue and London Circuit intersection. Existing accessible parking has been relocated where feasible. Visit Built for CBR for more information on parking changes.

The City Hill car park on the corner of Constitution Avenue and London Circuit has been partially closed (from September 2022) and the surface car park at 41 Marcus Clarke Street is now closed and is being used as a construction compound for the main site office and storage of materials.

The surface car park on the corner of Edinburgh Avenue and London Circuit has also closed to accommodate construction activities.

The Acton Waterfront (West Basin) surface car park may be used for material storage in 2023.

Visit Built for CBR for more information on parking changes.

Around 60,000 cubic metres of fill will be needed, which is equivalent to 24 Olympic swimming pools.

Fill materials are expected to be sourced from several different sites over the life of the project, with every effort made to source materials locally. The materials used must comply with environmental regulations and other controls.

Approximately 100 trees are to be removed within the raising London Circuit project footprint, with over 130 trees and other landscaping to be planted.

The landscape design for London Circuit will increase the urban greenspace in the City area, helping to reduce the effects of urban heat felt from surrounding buildings. The chosen trees and other plantings are species that have been selected to tolerate drought and hotter conditions. The design will also aid in achieving urban forest targets for canopy shade cover.