ACT Light Rail Stage Two is a light rail project that will run from the Canberra CBD to Woden via the Parliamentary Triangle. The line will be 11 kilometres long, with 12 new stops along the route.
Due to the significant planning approval process required to construct light rail through the Parliamentary Triangle, Stage Two has been split into Stage 2A and Stage 2B. This project page relates to Stage 2A, which extends the line by 1.7 kilometres from Civic in Canberra to Commonwealth Park, including:
- three light rail stops at City West, City South, and Commonwealth Park
- expansion of Mitchel depot to stable and maintain additional trams
- a new bridge over Parkes Way
- raising London Circuit to the same level as Commonwealth Avenue
- four new light rail vehicles
- wire-free track design
- power supply and transmission, and
- traffic signalling, road improvements and tree plantings.
Key Dates
| Feb 2021 | Project Announcement |
| 2022 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2024 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procurement note: | Stage 2A contract negotiations have commenced with Canberra Metro, the builder and operator of Light Rail Stage One. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jul 2019 | Planning approval for Stage Two was split in two to better deal with complex planning approval through the parliamentary triangle. |
| Sep 2019 | ACT Government endorsed the business case for Stage 2A. |
| Feb 2020 | The ACT Government announced that the Stage 2A Light Rail extension will include 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track from the Alinga Street station, along London Circuit and onto Commonwealth Avenue, finishing at Commonwealth Park. New and existing light rail vehicles will be fitted with energy storage and regenerative braking. |
| Feb 2020 | The Federal Government granted environmental approval to commence work on Stage 2A. |
| Aug 2020 | ACT Government called for public feedback to Preliminary Documentation responding to requirements under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. |
| Feb 2021 | The Federal Government announced $132.5 million for Stage 2A. |
| Apr 2021 | The ACT Government released updated delivery plans for the project with early works commencing before the end of 2021. |
| Sep 2021 | The ACT Government commenced an Expressions of Interest phase for the Raising London Circuit Main Works package, as part of Stage 2A, closing 14 October. The project involves works to raise the southern portion of London Circuit and is to be delivered through a construct-only contract, with design undertaken by Major Projects Canberra. |
| Mar 2022 | The National Capital Authority provided works approval to raise London Circuit, enabling the construction of an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. |
| Jul 2022 | Contract awarded for the raising of London Circuit. |
| Oct 2022 | Construction commenced on the raising of the London Circuit. |
| Mar 2023 | The ACT Government issued a Request for Tenders for a Quantity Surveyor for the ACT Light Rail Stage 2A – City to Commonwealth Park, closing 21st March. |
| Mar 2023 | The ACT Government opened the Works Approval for the project for public consultation, closing on 11 May. |
| Jul 2023 | The National Capital Authority has granted works approval to enable delivery of Stage 2A. |
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
Australian Capital Territory |
National |
Resources
Government resources
Stage 2A Business Case - September 2019Works Approval Consultation
Light Rail Stage 2A consultation
Media releases
2021/04/282018/10/22
2020/08/14
2021/02/24
2022/03/30
2022/07/01
2022/10/10
2023/07/12
2023/07/12
