Plans for Canberra’s next light rail stage revealed

Plans to expand Canberra’s fledgling light rail network have been unveiled, and the public has a chance to have their say. Find out where the new tram stops will be.

A busy interchange in the nation’s capital is set to undergo a dramatic change with residents urged to have their say on the plans that have been unveiled.

Stage 2A of the light rail will revitalise the southern CBD and expand the current route by 1.7 km with the addition of three new tram stops at Edinburgh Ave, City South and Commonwealth Park.

A fly-through video of the new tram route depicts the route travelling west along London Cct, past the ACT Law Courts and the NewActon cultural district ending at Commonwealth park.

Stage 2A will not cross Lake Burley Griffin.

Renders of Light Rail stage 2a depicting new tracks along the west side of London Circuit. Picture: Supplied

The light rail project has received support from the federal government including from ACT Senator Katy Gallagher and Member for Canberra Alicia Payne.

“(Stage 2A) will revitalise the southern section of the CBD, and transform a busy road interchange into a place that is welcoming for residents, commuters, businesses, students, visitors and workers,” Ms Payne said.

Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) chair Ryan Hemsley welcomed the consultation process.

“After numerous delays resulting from Covid-19 and negotiations with the National Capital Authority, it is fantastic to see this city-shaping project reach such an important milestone,” he said.

Artist impression depicts the end of Light Rail Stage 2A at Commonwealth park. Picture: Supplied

“Extending light rail around London Circuit to Commonwealth Park is the first step towards extending the network south to Woden, which Canberrans have been waiting patiently for since it was first announced in September 2016.”

“The faster Light Rail Stage 2A is approved, the faster we can deliver the benefits of light rail to Woden, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Molonglo, Fyshwick, the Airport and beyond.”

Mr Hemsley said many Canberrans had shown their support for light rail “both at the ballot box and with their MyWay cards.”

With National Capital Authority approved works to raise London Cct for light rail already underway, Stage 2A is relatively politically uncontroversial.

Yet the Canberra Liberals have vowed to scrap Light Rail Stage 2B, which would run from Commonwealth Park to Woden in Canberra’s south, if they are elected in 2024.

In December Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee accused the Barr Government of pulling “millions and millions” of dollars out of health, education, public housing community to pay for light rail projects.

She also accused the Albanese Government of siphoning over $86m previously allocated for ACT road to the light rail project.

Canberrans can have their say on Stage 2A until May 11.