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Overview
Raising London Circuit is a major city-shaping project, connecting the city with the lake by delivering more accessible footpaths and dedicated bike lanes. It will make Canberra a more connected, sustainable and vibrant place to live and provides an important foundation for extending light rail to Woden.
Main works on the project are progressing following the closure of the southern part of London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue and the two cloverleaf exits west of Commonwealth Avenue. Traffic lights have been added on Vernon Circle and at the Coranderrk Street roundabout to help with traffic flow during construction. A new footpath has been built on City Hill to maintain active travel connections between the east and west sides of the city.
Temporary roads, or side tracks, divert Commonwealth Avenue traffic between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle. These temporary roads allows for two lanes of traffic to be kept in each direction on Commonwealth Avenue during peak hours while major works progress on London Circuit. Shared paths along the temporary roads allow cyclists, pedestrians and other active travellers to safely reach the Lake and the places where they work, live and play.
(click map to enlarge)
Stages of construction to raise London Circuit
Work is completed in stages to minimise the impact on Commonwealth Avenue traffic between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle. Side tracks, or temporary roads, are diverting traffic and allow the demolition of the existing bridges across London Circuit. The side tracks help maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction on Commonwealth Avenue while the overpasses over London Circuit are demolished.
Construction stages in detail
Stage 1: Construction of first temporary road and demolition of southbound bridge
From September 2023 the first side track was built to the West of Commonwealth Avenue. Northbound traffic is now being diverted to the side track. Southbound traffic was diverted to the existing northbound lanes across London Circuit. The southbound bridge was demolished (Step 1).
Stage 2: Construction of second temporary road and demolition of northbound bridge
An embankment was constructed on the eastern side of Commonwealth Avenue and in place of the demolished southbound bridge. A new side track to the east of Commonwealth Avenue was built on the embankment.
From May 2024, southbound traffic will be diverted onto the eastern side track and northbound traffic will remain on the current western side track (Step 2). During this stage the northbound Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will be demolished. The shared path will remain in place for northbound users. A new southbound shared path will support active travel along the new eastern side track.
Stage 3: Construction of western embankment and permanent roads
Earthworks and pavements will continue on London Circuit (east and west) while a new intersection will be constructed in place of the northbound and southbound bridges. Northbound and southbound traffic will remain on side track lanes to allow for the construction of the new permanent roads (Step 3). On completion traffic will be returned to the new Commonwealth Avenue northbound and southbound lanes.
Stage 4: Raising London Circuit complete and ready for light rail stage 2A
At completion, this project will enable Light Rail to Woden project between the city and Commonwealth Park (Stage 2A).
Completing the project
Around 60,000 cubic metres of fill will be used to raise London Circuit by six metres to form an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. The two western cloverleaf ramps are being removed, with access routes via Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue channelling traffic to the City’s west and east. Once completed, the works will change the current split-level, overpass-underpass configuration into a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly intersection with London Circuit level with Commonwealth Avenue.
What is fill?
Fill is material primarily consisting of soil that is used to raise London Circuit.
The fill is collected from other construction sites undertaking excavation. All fill material is approved by ACT EPA prior to importation to site. It is rigorously tested for contaminated materials and to ensure it meets the engineering requirements.
Truck movements and safety
Fill is brought in stages by trucks via the site entrances. Entrances are located at the intersection of Edinburgh Avenue and London Circuit, the intersection of Constitution Avenue and London Circuit, and on Commonwealth Avenue. Trucks carrying fill arrive at the site Monday to Friday, between 7 am and 5 pm and Saturday between 7 am and 1 pm.
Trucks will be circulating on roads in and around the city for the duration of the project. Please be mindful of additional trucks; they have larger blind spots than other vehicles. With up to 80 trucks per day entering the London Circuit work site, safety must be a priority for everyone. Motorists should never overtake a turning truck and keep out of truck blind spots.
Pedestrian crossing configurations across London Circuit have been modified near the construction site entrances at Constitution Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue. The new design ensures no pedestrian can walk across the entrances, reducing accident risks.
It’s important to remember that trucks cannot stop quickly. Pedestrians should always look before crossing the road and use designated pedestrian crossings.
Disruption
Raising London Circuit, along with other projects across the city in the coming years, will impact traffic flows, public transport routes and travel times as well as active travel connections both in and out of the city. These impacts include traffic, bus and pedestrian diversions and temporary road and lane closures.
The ACT Government has planned early for disruption through a multi-agency Disruption Taskforce. The taskforce works closely with the local community, business and government representatives to develop and implement effective mitigations.
Parking capacity in some car parks across the city has been reduced to allow the establishment of site compounds. Details on parking changes can be found on the City Services website. Information about Travel impacts can be found on the Built for CBR website.
Other projects
The National Capital Authority is delivering the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project. The NCA’s vision is to renew the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to cater to Canberra’s long-term transport needs adequately while maintaining the Bridge’s considerable cultural and heritage value.
