THE ACT government’s Works Approval for the Stage 2A of the light rail network (to Commonwealth Park) is now open for public comment, however there appears to be no indication as to the cost of the project. 

Designs and an Environmental Assessment were submitted to the National Capital Authority (NCA) and ACT Planning and Land Authority in December.

The development application will also be open for public comment shortly.

These documents will be available for public response until May 11.

Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A will feature an additional 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track including three new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park.

The Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A project is jointly funded by the federal and ACT governments.

The final plans reveal new details about the project design, including:

• a landscape developed with the NCA for Commonwealth Avenue as a tree-lined boulevard consistent with the original designs by the Burley Griffins. This includes proposed pin oak plantings in the Commonwealth Avenue median.
• two new signalised intersections on London Circuit at West Row and University Avenue.
• in-ground pedestrian lights in key locations to alert and remind pedestrians to cross light rail tracks safely
• protected cycle ways on newly-designed intersections at London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, as well as London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue
• a cobbled median on London Circuit West to differentiate the light rail corridor from the roadway
• grass track sections on parts of Northbourne Avenue, London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue
• a new inset bridge for the light rail constructed over Parkes Way in between the two Commonwealth Avenue bridges.

The ACT government had previously received Works Approval from the NCA for the $100 million raising of London Circuit, which is currently under construction to enable this project.

Pending planning approvals and procurement processes, construction on the Stage 2A extension is expected to start soon after the raising of London Circuit is complete.

Fact sheets and Environmental Assessment chapter summaries, are available at: act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden

Closer look at light rail presents a bleak picture