Commonwealth Avenue will close between the Parkes Way ramps across three nights from Monday, 23 February. Photo: James Coleman.
Canberra drivers are being warned to brace for more night and weekend closures on Commonwealth Avenue and Parkes Way as light rail construction shifts deeper into the city.
After a January construction blitz that delivered “public realm improvements” and track work at Northbourne Avenue and Alinga Street, crews are now focused on Commonwealth Avenue and Parkes Way as part of Light Rail Stage 2A.
To get the next stage done safely, sections of the two major roads will close in late February and early March.
The big hit comes across three nights, with full closures of Commonwealth Avenue between the Parkes Way ramps and Vernon Circle.
The first round of works, from 23 to 24 February. Photo: ACT Government.
From 8 pm Monday, 23 February to 5 am Tuesday, 24 February, crews will pour the concrete for the deck of the light rail bridge over Parkes Way.
That means a full closure of Commonwealth Avenue in both directions between the Parkes Way on/off ramps and Vernon Circle. Parkes Way westbound will also close between the Commonwealth Avenue ramps.
The second round of works, 25 to 26 February. Photo: ACT Government.
Two nights later, from 8 pm Wednesday, 25 February to 5 am Thursday, 26 February, the same stretch of Commonwealth Avenue will again shut in both directions for another bridge deck pour.
That night, Parkes Way eastbound will close between Edinburgh Avenue and Coranderrk Street.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be detoured during both closures, with signage in place.
The third round of works, from 27 February to 2 March. Photo: ACT Government.
From 8 pm Friday, 27 February through to 5 am Monday, 2 March, crews will install a watermain service and stormwater utilities across Commonwealth Avenue.
During that period, Commonwealth Avenue northbound will be fully closed. Southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane.
Parkes Way will remain open in both directions over the weekend, but drivers should expect delays.
Project organisers say the timing is deliberate.
“Scheduling has been organised to minimise the number of closures needed to support multiple construction activities taking place,” a spokesperson said.
“Closures will occur at night and on weekends where possible to reduce the impact on Canberra’s traffic network.”
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time on affected nights. Detours will be in place and clearly signed.
More closures are expected as works continue.
“The community will be notified in advance about further closures and traffic changes as the works progress,” the spokesperson said.
“While every effort is made to inform you of upcoming construction activities, works are weather dependent and subject to change.”
Drivers can check the latest updates at act.gov.au/builtforcbr/travel-impacts. The ACT Government will publish its next city construction update, covering March and April 2026, shortly.
