The Alinga Street light rail stop will be connected to the new line next year. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Construction of the light rail Stage 2A track is scheduled to begin later this month, connecting the existing network to the new line to Commonwealth Park. This will result in several disruptions for motorists and commuters.
Infrastructure Canberra says the works include critical preparation for installing the new track.
It says track slab and track form works will start early next year.
During November and December, works to connect the new stage to the Alinga Street light rail stop will involve the installation of services to support light rail signalisation and enable light rail to transition to the new wire-free zone for Stage 2A.
Detours, signage and wayfinding will be in place to help people move safely through the area. Commuters are encouraged to plan ahead, check travel times and visit Travel Impacts – Built for CBR for updates.
Buses will replace some rail services, and information on this, including the bus stop locations, can be found on the Transport Canberra website.
Infrastructure Canberra also says that on the first weekend of December, steel girders will be installed for Canberra’s first light rail bridge.
The new bridge will be a vital connection between the city, Commonwealth Park and the Acton Waterfront, forming a key piece of infrastructure for the future light rail network.
Each steel girder is the full length of the bridge (53 metres) and weighs up to 55 tonnes. These will be put in place by a 750-tonne mobile crane.
This type of crane is used in wind farm construction and takes approximately 15 semi-trailers’ worth of equipment to assemble.
These works will require some weekend road closures and disruption to bus and light rail services to carry them out safely.
Upcoming works and closures are:
- From 8 pm Friday, 14 November to 6 am Tuesday, 18 November 2025: Northbourne Avenue northbound closed between Vernon Circle and Rudd Street.
- From 8 pm Friday, 21 November, to 6 am Monday, 24 November 2025:
- The intersection of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue will be closed.
- Northbourne Avenue northbound will be reduced to one lane between Vernon Circle and Rudd Street.
- Northbourne Avenue southbound will be closed between Cooyong Street and Vernon Circle, with detours in place.
- Light rail services will be impacted from the first service on Saturday, 22 November to the last service on Sunday, 23 November. Buses will replace light rail services between Alinga Street and Sandford Street in Mitchell and will continue to Well Station Drive.
- There will be some bus diversions for buses going in and out of the City bus interchange. Minor delays are expected. City bus interchange platforms 1 and 3 will be closed, and alternative arrangements will be in place.
- From 8 pm Friday, 28 November, to 6 am Tuesday, 2 December 2025:
- The intersection of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue will be closed
- Northbourne Avenue will be reduced to one lane in both directions between Vernon Circle and Rudd Street/Bunda Street.
- Light rail will operate as normal, and there will be no rail replacement bus during this period.
- There will be some bus diversions for buses going in and out of the City bus interchange. Minor delays are expected.
- From mid-November 2025, a short section of Commonwealth Avenue southbound near Parkes Way will be reduced to one lane until early 2026 to prepare for essential Parkes Way Bridge works.
- From 8 pm Friday, 5 December, to 6 am Monday, 8 December 2025:
- The intersection of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue will be closed.
- Northbourne Avenue will be reduced to one lane in both directions between Vernon Circle and Rudd Street/Bunda Street.
- Light rail services will be impacted from the first service on Saturday, 6 December 2025, to the last service on Sunday, 7 December 2025. Buses will replace light rail services between Alinga Street and Sandford Street in Mitchell and will continue to Well Station Drive.
- There will be some bus diversions for buses going in and out of the City bus interchange. Minor delays are expected.
- Parkes Way will be closed in both directions between the Parkes Way on/off ramps and Vernon Circle.
- Commonwealth Avenue will be closed in both directions between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle.
- London Circuit East will be closed between Constitution Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, with bus diversions in place.
