Sections of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will be closed in the coming weeks. Photo: James Coleman.
If the current light-rail works weren’t enough, Canberra drivers are being warned to expect more delays around the city as early works begin this week on the long-planned upgrade of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
The National Capital Authority (NCA) has confirmed “preliminary construction activity” will start on Thursday, 13 November, marking the first stage of a project to strengthen the ageing bridge and modernise its paths, lighting and landscaping.
While the heavy construction won’t begin until January, motorists will notice the impacts almost immediately.
The first jobs on the ground include removing the two sets of flagpoles that line Commonwealth Avenue and building temporary crossover lanes in the medians at both ends of the bridge. Traffic will continue to flow across both sides throughout this early phase, but lane closures will be in effect from day one.
Northbound closures start on Thursday (13 November), followed by southbound closures from Tuesday, 18 November.
For the duration of the preliminary works, the bridge and sections of Commonwealth Avenue will be reduced to two lanes in each direction, with additional closures during off-peak hours as needed by the crews for extra space.
Flynn Drive will also feel the pinch. Its westbound lane will close on Thursday, 13 November, and Friday, 14 November, from 7 am to 6 pm, while site sheds are delivered to a new construction compound. The NCA says the disruption should be minor, but it is urging drivers to allow a little more travel time, particularly during peak periods.
The flagpoles on either side of the bridge spans will be the first to go. Image: NCA.
These early works are expected to finish by mid-December 2025, weather permitting.
The main construction phase, including the closure of the bridge’s western span, will begin in January 2026. Details on how traffic, cyclists and pedestrians will be managed will be announced soon.
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge hasn’t had a major upgrade since it opened in 1963, and the NCA says the time has finally come to prepare it for Canberra’s long-term transport needs.
The project involves strengthening the bridge’s structure, including replacing its bearings and reinforcing it with high-strength concrete and cabling so it can handle population growth, heavier traffic and modern vehicles.
A major focus will be on improving the experience for pedestrians and cyclists. The narrow shared paths will be widened from 2.4 metres to 5 metres, and the existing stairs will be replaced with new connecting paths that provide better access.
The four pylons at each end of the bridge will also gain new viewing platforms, giving walkers and riders a fresh vantage point over the lake and the Parliamentary Zone.
New lighting will run the full length of the bridge, including subtle lighting within the shared-path handrails to improve safety after dark.
Landscaping will also be refreshed, with new trees, shrubs, grasses and feature plantings designed to better complement Canberra’s iconic lakeside setting.
The NCA stresses that the bridge renewal is not connected to the light rail project, and the ACT Government will still have to construct its own span to get light rail over the lake.
Visit the project page on the NCA’s website for updates, or follow the NCA’s social media.
