Travel Impacts

With an alignment of 1.7km, the Stage 2A footprint is large and requires multiple site compounds to fully support the project and its hundreds of workers.

These are temporary facilities set up on or near a construction site and used to support the daily operations of a construction project.

Most will house site offices, store machinery, equipment, tools and materials, and provide amenities for workers such as toilets, kitchens and break rooms.

A number of construction compounds have already been established across the city to support the construction of light rail.

The Acton Waterfront compound is located off Commonwealth Avenue, this construction compound has already been established. This was established in November 2024.

View the map of the Acton Waterfront construction compound.

The City West compound is located at the City West Bus Layover area, between University Avenue, Marcus Clarke Street and Allsop Street. This construction compound has already been established. This was established in November 2024.

View the map of the City West construction compound.

The City Hill compound is located on the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue. This construction compound has already been established. This was established in January 2025.

View the map of the City Hill compound location.

The Flynn Drive West site area is located in the cloverleaf next to Albert Hall.

View the map of the Flynn Drive West compound location.

There will be some tree removal along the alignment to facilitate the light rail’s construction. As many trees as possible will be retained and at project completion, more than twice as many new mature trees will have been planted to replace the trees removed.

In February, trees will be removed on Commonwealth Avenue and on London Circuit between Northbourne Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue.

Access to Acton and ANU

The Commonwealth Avenue exit ramps to London Circuit and Parkes Way are now permanently closed. There are new ways to get from Commonwealth Avenue to the west of the city, Acton and the ANU.

Edinburgh Avenue

Edinburgh Avenue remains open from Vernon Circle during raising London Circuit works.

• From Commonwealth Avenue, stay in the far-left lane on Vernon Circle.
• Turn left into Edinburgh Avenue.

London Circuit

The northern part of London Circuit will remain open during the raising London Circuit works on the southern part.

• From Commonwealth Avenue, continue north onto Vernon Circle and towards Northbourne Avenue.
• Turn left into London Circuit at Northbourne Avenue.

Parkes Way

• From Commonwealth Avenue, exit Parkes Way westbound towards Belconnen.
• Use the Lawson Crescent exit to turn right onto Edinburgh Avenue.

Access to the city and Reid from South Canberra

How to get from South Canberra to the city shopping precinct and Reid.

Kings Avenue Bridge

Kings Avenue Bridge is a good option to access the city shopping precinct and Reid from South Canberra.

• After crossing Kings Avenue Bridge, merge left onto Parkes Way heading to the city.
• From Parkes Way, use the Anzac Parade or Coranderrk Street roundabouts to head where you need to go.

London Circuit

The northern part of London Circuit remains open.

• From South Canberra and Commonwealth Avenue, head north on Vernon Circle towards Northbourne Avenue.
• Turn right from Northbourne Avenue onto London Circuit to drive to Constitution Avenue.

Vernon Circle north

Vernon Circle remains open.

• From South Canberra and Commonwealth Avenue, head north on Vernon Circle and take the slip lane towards Constitution Avenue.
• Turn left into Constitution Avenue to head straight towards Reid.
• Turn left onto London Circuit from Constitution Avenue to head to the shopping precinct.

Driving to South Canberra from the city

How to get to South Canberra from the city.

Vernon Circle south

Constitution Avenue remains open to Vernon Circle.

• From the east side of the city (the city shopping precinct), drive to Constitution Avenue.
• Turn left onto Vernon Circle at the traffic lights to head south on Commonwealth Avenue.

London Circuit

You can access Northbourne Avenue from the northern part of London Circuit.

• From London Circuit, turn onto Northbourne Avenue.
• Head south from Northbourne Avenue onto Vernon Circle towards Commonwealth Avenue.

Access to Parkes Way from South Canberra

How to access Parkes Way if you are driving from South Canberra towards Queanbeyan

Kings Avenue Bridge

When driving to or from South Canberra, Kings Avenue Bridge is a good option to connect to Parkes Way.

Parkes Way towards Queanbeyan

When driving from South Canberra along Commonwealth Avenue:

• Merge onto Parkes Way towards Belconnen, then stay in the left lane to use the Lawson Crescent exit.
• Turn right onto Edinburgh Avenue, then immediately right onto the ramp to Parkes Way east towards Queanbeyan.

Another way to get to Queanbeyan:

• Use the far-left lane to turn onto Vernon Circle.
• Turn left into Edinburgh Avenue.
• Drive on Edinburgh Avenue past Phillip Law Street.
• Merge left onto Parkes Way east using the Parkes Way – Queanbeyan ramp.

Find out which carparks are closed or have reduced capacity on the City Services website.

Parkopedia and the Easy Park app provide information on parking options within the City.

Accessible parking

Accessible parking for people with Australian Disability Parking Permits is available within alternate car parks.

Australian disability parking permit holders are also entitled to additional time in ordinary ACT Government time restricted parking spaces.

Find out more about parking permits on the Access Canberra website.

Bus services will be impacted by construction activities in and around the city with increased journey times and changes in bus service frequency. We have maintained service frequency during peak periods. Rapid buses continue to run at least every 15 minutes.

Find out more about public transport on the Transport Canberra website.

Bus diversions

These diversions are due to the temporary closure of London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue.

There are no changes to bus stops due to the bus diversions listed below.

Bus routes between the city and South Canberra have changed. These buses travel along Vernon Circle and Constitution Avenue to reach the City Interchange.

Bus routes affected include: R2, R4, R6, R7, R10, 57, 58, 180, 181 and school service 2015.

More information on the Transport Canberra website.

If possible, rethink your routine and travel outside peak times. Using public transport, walking, cycling, or e-scooting are great ways to build new healthy habits. They will also reduce the amount of fuel you use and carbon emissions, while saving on parking.

Whether you are new to public transport, or a seasoned traveller, we have everything you need to get started or back into the groove. This includes public transport, cycling and walking maps for the Canberra regions.

Find out more about travel around your area:

Belconnen

Central

Gungahlin

Tuggeranong

Woden, Weston Creek and Molonglo

More details on public transport and active travel routes that will connect you to the city can be found at transport.act.gov.au.

You can also plan your journey in real time using a mapping platform such as Google maps or Apple Maps.

Public transport service alerts

Stay up to date with the latest public transport service alerts.

Road closures

You may be impacted by other road closures. Remember to review your local road and footpath closures.

You may need to take a different cycle path when cycling in the city. The map below indicates which cycling paths and on-road lanes can help you travel in the area.

More large vehicles are now turning onto Constitution Avenue from Vernon Circle. Please pay particular attention when cycling towards South Canberra on Vernon Circle.

Find out how we are easing the impacts and reducing traffic congestion while construction takes place in the city.

Disruption Taskforce

To manage impacts during the construction of projects across Canberra’s city centre, the ACT Government has established a multi-agency Disruption Taskforce to oversee the delivery of a comprehensive disruption management strategy. This involves working closely with local community, business and government representatives to develop and implement effective interventions and mitigations.

We are committed to minimising the impact on the community where possible and are working closely with the Australian Government and private developments to coordinate construction programs, disruption, and communications activities.

The disruption associated with construction is going to be significant, but once completed, will result in a more vibrant, sustainable and better-connected city.

New traffic lights

Traffic lights have been installed at the roundabout at Coranderrk Street and Parkes Way. These improve traffic flow during the raising London Circuit and light rail construction by controlling the westbound right turn from Parkes Way into Coranderrk Street.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed on Vernon Circle to allow safe right-turns onto Constitution Avenue and London Circuit for vehicles heading north. A new bus lane is also helping public transport between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue.

Improved traffic light monitoring

We've installed intelligent transport monitoring technology in key locations across central Canberra where congestion is likely.

New intersection cameras and Bluetooth sensors feed traffic insights to a central Traffic Operations Centre at Fyshwick.

Three new travel time roadside signs have been installed on the Tuggeranong Parkway, Majura Parkway and Belconnen Way.

These devices will provide up-to-date information about journey times and potential impacts. impacts and allow motorists to make decisions enroute to their destination.

Path upgrades

We will improve paths to and from the city. To make walking and cycling to the city easier. These improvements will focus on upgrading existing paths in the inner north and inner south areas.

Park and Ride

A new Park and Ride at Mawson oval is helping southside motorists connect with bus services into the city. It is one of 22 Park and Ride locations across the ACT. Improved signage has been installed at key Park and Ride locations. Read more about Park and Ride.

E-scooter

The e-scooter hire scheme has rolled out to all town centres. It is helping to connect the community with Rapid bus routes and make it easier to get around for short trips.

Read more about e-scooters.

Workplace travel program

We have developed a workplace travel program for city-based employers and their staff. It provides resources to support new transport habits that will last into the future such as car-pooling, bike riding and using public transport.

School-based travel planning

We are engaging with school communities about the construction works which may impact the travel of students, parents and teachers. This includes:

• working with schools that are likely to have their travel routines impacted
• raising awareness of the construction activities
• promoting and supporting other travel choices for students, parents and teachers.

Schools will receive ongoing support to deliver a suite of programs to support active travel and respond to safety concerns. Read more about school-based travel programs.

Business visits and engagement

ACT Government staff have been providing regular project updates to city-based businesses since 2021. Further business visits and key stakeholder liaison will continue as construction continues.

Sign up for project updates.

Pop-ups

Pop-up information stands will be coordinated near major workplaces as significant construction projects continue.