Chris Steel at the CIT campus, standing above the bus interchange. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
The development of the new bus interchange at Woden is running “slightly behind”, with construction now slated to finish late 2025, Transport Minister Chris Steel has said.
This delay means that commuters will have to continue using the temporary Woden Bus Interchange until at least the end of the year. The announcement comes as several other changes to facilitate construction take effect.
Callum Street, where the majority of construction is scheduled, will be closed to all buses from the Launceston and Bradley street interchanges. It is scheduled to reopen by the end of the year.
All buses using the temporary interchange will now access the area via Matilda and Bowes streets. One bus stop on Launceston Street, stop 2031, will also be closed as construction continues.
The delay in construction will mean the first students at the new $300 million purpose-built CIT campus won’t be using the new interchange until the end of the year.
Mr Steel says that there are several factors behind the delay, but it won’t affect the opening of CIT, scheduled for next month.
“There’s been a range of different issues experienced during construction of the interchange, mainly relating to utilities early on with the project and so that has meant that it will open now at the end of the year, but the broader CIT campus and the public areas around it will be open for the community to enjoy,” Mr Steel said.
The interchange is a key part of the government’s $14 billion Infrastructure Plan and is designed to integrate with the new CIT campus, as well as the expansion of the light rail.
When completed, the government expects the hub to have more than 10,000 commuters passing through it per day.
The government said it will continue to mitigate disruptions to residents and businesses caused by the construction.
Map of upcoming changes to the Woden Bus Interchange. Photo: Supplied
Commuters are advised to visit Transport Canberra for further details.
