Travel Impacts
Multiple construction projects will impact how people travel to and around the city. Keep informed about travel changes, impacts and how to plan for them
Travel Impacts
This advice is about travel impacts in the city centre. Find out about road closures in other areas of the ACT on the City Services website.
Commonwealth Avenue lane closures
Date and time:
- From 8pm, Friday 17 January to 6am to Monday 20 January.
- From 8pm, Friday 31 January to 6am, Monday 3 February.
Work description: Completion of earthworks, stormwater works, concrete works (including kerbs and footpaths), barrier movements, line marking, saw cutting, asphalt removal and excavation works.
Impacts and detours: Partial lane closures in both directions on Commonwealth Avenue between Vernon Circle and Parkes Way.
Parkes Way eastbound ramp to Commonwealth Avenue
Date and time: From 8pm, Friday 31 January to 6am, Monday 3 February.
Work description: Completion of concrete works, landscaping, line marking and finishing works.
Impacts: Works will take place for the duration of weekend including overnight.
Detours: Motorists will need to follow the detour in place via Parkes Way using the Coranderrk Street roundabout.
View the Parkes Way ramp detour map.
Construction starting soon in the City Centre on Light Rail
Light rail to Commonwealth Park will start construction in February 2025 as work ramps up to build this once in a generation asset for Canberra.
By 2028, workers, residents and visitors to the City Centre will be able to more easily connect to more locations, including City West, New Acton, Commonwealth Park and Lake Burley Griffin, using three new light rail stops.
The ACT Government’s delivery partner Canberra Metro is currently preparing for the start of construction on London Circuit, Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes Way and King Edward Terrace.
What you will see from February 2025
- Fencing installed around London Circuit west between Northbourne Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue.
- Construction teams removing existing street assets on London Circuit in readiness for construction. This includes bike racks, water fountains, park benches, light poles and public art.
- Some tree removal on London Circuit west and Commonwealth Avenue.
- Start of utilities in the ground removed and relocated.
- Additional construction compounds set up on the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue, and in the cloverleaf on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin between Flynn Drive and Commonwealth Avenue.
Impacts to expect
- Sections of London Circuit west will be closed to motorists and cyclists between Northbourne Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue.
- Establishment of new compounds to support construction.
- There will be noise from machinery during construction.
Access maintained on London Circuit
- Access will be maintained to businesses along London Circuit and wayfinding signs will assist customers.
- Access to Knowles Place north and Odgers Lane will be maintained for motorists and cyclists.
- Pedestrian and wheelchair access will be maintained along and across London Circuit.
- Access is maintained to the city bus and light rail interchange.
View the map to see the start of construction on Light Rail Stage 2A from February 2025.
Construction site compounds
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.
Acton Waterfront compound
The Acton Waterfront compound is located off Commonwealth Avenue, this construction compound has already been established.
View the map of the Acton Waterfront construction compound.
City West compound (near ANU)
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.
ANU compound
The ANU private carpark compound is located at the corner of Ellery Crescent and Marcus Clarke Street. This was established in November 2024.
View the map of the ANU private car park construction compound.
Alternative parking will be available across other ANU locations, including, off Childers Street (multiple locations) and Ellery Crescent.
Private parking is also available at Knowles Place (Wilson) and Allsop Street (Secure).
City Hill compound - established January 2025
The City Hill compound is located on the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue.
View the map of the City Hill compound location.
Flynn Drive West compound - established February 2025
The Flynn Drive West compound is located in the cloverleaf next to Albert Hall.
View the map of the Flynn Drive West compound location.
Moving around the City Centre
More communications material will be released early in the new year as construction activity increases. This will include regular updates about the construction program and how to make your movements around the city as smooth as possible.
Access is maintained to the city bus and light rail interchange.
View the updated city parking map.
Apps including Parkopedia and EasyPark also provide practical information on parking choice within the City Centre.
Tree removal to facilitate construction
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.
Further lane closures on Commonwealth Avenue
Further lane closures will be in place on Commonwealth Avenue between 6pm and 6am, Monday 16 December to Thursday 19 December (nights only), to facilitate works on the Raising London Circuit project.
Following these works, traffic will be returned to the permanent Commonwealth Avenue alignment and the side tracks will then be decommissioned to complete the intersection.
Traffic changes and night works: Commonwealth Avenue
A new temporary road has been constructed along the eastern side of Commonwealth Avenue across Parkes Way.
Traffic heading south on Commonwealth Avenue towards the lake will now be diverted onto this new side track.
This temporary road is in addition to the road for traffic heading north on Commonwealth Avenue.
These temporary roads keep two lanes of traffic in each direction during peak hours.
The next major phase of the project will remove the northbound Commonwealth Avenue bridge over London Circuit.
For active travellers, there is a walking and cycling path for cyclists and pedestrians on each temporary side track.
Please follow all road signs and slow down when driving on Commonwealth Avenue between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle.
View the Commonwealth Avenue traffic diversion map.
Pedestrian crossing change: Vernon Circle
One of the pedestrian crossings at the Vernon Circle/Constitution Avenue intersection is temporarily closed. The other will remain open.
This change will improve the flow of traffic turning left onto Vernon Circle from Constitution Avenue.
Carpark closure: John Gorton Campus east carpark.
The John Gorton Campus east carpark, accessed off Dorothy Tangney Place in Parkes is closed.
This is to allow works to start on the construction of the new John Gorton Campus multi-storey carpark.
Find out more about the John Gorton Campus carpark closure on the Australian Government Department of Finance website.
Additional truck movements: Coranderrk Street, Constitution Avenue and London Circuit
Works to raise London Circuit are moving to the next phase with the construction of a temporary road to the west of Commonwealth Avenue. This will lead to an increase in truck movements on Coranderrk Street, Constitution Avenue and London Circuit, and surrounding main roads leading to the city.
Please be especially mindful when walking, cycling or driving near the work site entrances at the intersection of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue, and London Circuit and Edinburgh Avenue.
Road closure: London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue
London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed until early 2025 for the duration of the project.
Road closure: Ramps from Commonwealth Avenue to Parkes Way and London Circuit.
Both cloverleaf ramps from Commonwealth Avenue to Parkes Way and London Circuit are now permanently closed.
Detours are in place to maintain access to the east and west of the city and Parkes Way. We encourage you to rethink your travel routine and consider how and when they travel in and around the city.
Accessible car parking changes: City Hill
Accessible parking on the corner of Constitution Avenue and London Circuit has moved to face Constitution Avenue.
The original car spaces will be closed for construction use, and this change will be in effect until the end of 2024.
View the City Hill accessible car parking changes map.
Journey planning and support
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:
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.
A new City Hill footpath is open to the public. The path links Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue. It provides a safe connection for Canberrans and visitors to cross the City Centre, particularly during construction on the Raising London Circuit project.
Pedestrian and cyclist access to London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project.
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.
Subscribe
If you would like to find out more about infrastructure updates, you can subscribe to project newsletters.