Complexity of light rail stage two sets stage for cost blowouts

Nine new bridges, wire free running and the need to protect critically endangered moths is creating a costly headache for the ACT Government as it seeks approval for light rail stage two

The ACT Government will aim to minimise wire free running to keep the cost down for stage 2 of the Canberra light rail project.

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The complexity of stage two of the light rail project poses major engineering, environmental and heritage headaches, which are likely to lead to cost blowouts.

Government documents open for public comment set the stage for a complex Commonwealth approvals process, particularly as the line passes through the Parliamentary Zone.

Businesses in the city’s west are being invited to have their say on the project this month and attend a light rail “coffee date” at the Cupping Room cafe in Civic on Thursday, August 22.

The ACT Government has split the second stage into two parts with the 9km section between Commonwealth Park and Woden expected to be the most problematic.

A map showing the Canberra light rail route

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation referral documents reveal requirements for nine new bridges, expensive wire free running and landscaping to protect heritage around through the Parliamentary Zone and a plan to protect six critically endangered golden sun moth populations.

Up to 2.6ha of the animal’s habitat could be lost at the London Circuit and Commonwealth Ave intersection for stage 2a from the city to Commonwealth Park.

A “worst-case scenario” would see another 4.2ha decimated by stage 2b between Commonwealth Park and Woden at Brisbane Ave, Sydney Ave and Canberra Avenues, Yarra Glen and potentially within State Circle.

A concept image showing the route at state circle east.

As at June last year, light rail stage two was expected to cost in the region of $1.3 to $1.6 billion, which was already double the $675 million price tag for stage one from Gungahlin to the city.

Transport Minister Chris Steel said the predicted cost reflected pricey elements such as the bridges, wire-free running, more light rail vehicles and “additional risk contingency amounts”.

But the ultimate cost will be “heavily dependent” upon the final design and timing of the project, planning constraints and the procurement process.

Stage two is expected to cost between $1.3 and $1.6 billion, which is more than double the price tag for stage one.

“There will be multiple, complicated challenges in delivering the second stage of light rail to Woden,” Mr Steel said.

“The Commonwealth planning approvals process will be complex, particularly as light rail passes through the Parliamentary Zone.

“There will also be a variety of engineering challenges, including bridges and wire-free running.”

A concept image for stage 2b to Woden.

The Government will be aiming to minimise wire free running to prevent the project’s cost from spiralling out of control.

Mr Steel said the ACT Government had undertaken other major projects where the golden sun moth impacts had been managed through offsets and in some cases translocation.

“It is a process the ACT Government has begun working through with the recent referral to the Commonwealth Government under the EPBC Act,” he said.

“Splitting the City to Woden project into two parts will enable us to progress the City to Commonwealth Park element more quickly while we continue to work through the infrastructure, design, environmental and planning details associated with the expansion from Commonwealth Park to Woden.”

The tram will cross over Lake Burley Griffin on its way to Woden.

The completion date will in large part depend on the progress of the Commonwealth planning and approvals process.

“The duration of Commonwealth approvals is a matter for the Commonwealth Government, though the ACT Government is keen to progress the development of light rail in the corridor as soon as possible,” he said.

KEY FEATURES OF CITY TO COMMONWEALTH PARK LEG (2A)

• A 1.7 kilometre extension of the existing City to Gungahlin light rail track with three new light rail stops

• Expansion of the existing light rail depot in Mitchell to accommodate the stabling and

maintenance of the additional LRVs needed

• Changes to the on-ramp and off-ramp at the Commonwealth Avenue-London Circuit

intersection

• Creation of a pedestrian and traffic shared-zone on London Circuit between Gordon Street and Edinburgh Ave to improve accessibility to the light rail stop

• A new bridge between the existing bridges along Commonwealth Ave over Parkes Way.

KEY FEATURES OF COMMONWEALTH PARK TO WODEN (2B)

• A 9km track via state circle east with nine new stops

• Light rail vehicle driver amenities at the Woden terminus

• Some mature landscape tree and bushland planting removal and its replacement with new

plantings and extensive landscape treatments

STRUCTURES REQUIRED FOR 2B TO WODEN

•A new bridge which will be built in between the existing Commonwealth Ave road bridge over Lake Burley Griffin.

•New Commonwealth Ave bridge over Flynn Drive.

•New Adelaide Ave bridge over State Circle.

•New Adelaide Ave bridge over Hopetoun Circuit.

•New pedestrian bridge over Adelaide Ave to the Kent Street light rail stop.

•New pedestrian bridge over Yarra Glen to the Carruthers Street light rail stop.

•New light rail bridge over Yarralumla Creek.

•Decommissioning and removing the road vehicle bridge from Yamba Drive to Melrose Drive

•Decommissioning and removing the pedestrian bridge across Yarralumla Creek within Section 79 at Phillip.

•New pedestrian and cycle bridge across Yarraluma Creek within Section 79 at Phillip

Read the referral documents here and here.

Businesses are encouraged to take part in a survey to help the Government develop a better understanding of trading hours, goods and service offerings, signage and marketing considerations and logistics around deliveries: yoursay.act.gov.au.