Light Rail Stage 2A works are continuing on Commonwealth Avenue during March and April, with construction crews planning to install a track slab for upcoming rail installation and complete improvements to essential utilities along the alignment.
To ensure these critical works can be carried out safely, temporary road and lane closures will be in place along sections of Commonwealth Avenue and Vernon Circle over the coming weeks ahead.
The works have been scheduled to minimise the number of closures needed to support multiple construction activities taking place. Closures will occur at night and on weekends where possible to reduce the impact on Canberra's traffic network.
Commonwealth Avenue traffic changes
Thursday 19 March – Monday 23 March
- The Parkes Way westbound off ramp onto Commonwealth Avenue (southbound) will be closed from 10pm Thursday 19 March to 4am Friday 20 March. Detours will be in place.
- Commonwealth Avenue northbound will be reduced to one lane between Albert Street (west) and Parkes Way from 8pm Thursday 19 March to 5am Friday 20 March and 8 pm Friday 20 March to 5am Monday 23 March.
Wednesday 25 March – Monday 30 March
- Commonwealth Avenue southbound will be reduced to one lane between Parkes Way and Albert Street (east) from 8pm Wednesday 25 March to 5am Thursday 26 March and 8 pm Thursday 26 March to 5am Monday 30 March.
- The Albert Street (east) entry will also be closed from 8pm Thursday 26 March to 6am Saturday 28 March. Detours will be in place.
- Full closure of Commonwealth Avenue northbound lanes from 8pm Thursday 26 March and southbound lanes from 8pm Friday 27 March between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle. Commonwealth Avenue will then be closed in both directions between Parkes Way and Vernon circle until 5am Monday 30 March. Detours will be in place.
Other traffic changes and closures
- A short section of Commonwealth Avenue southbound near Parkes Way will remain reduced to one lane until 31 March 2026.
- Commonwealth Avenue southbound will be reduced to one lane between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle from 5 am Monday 30 March to 5 am Monday 27 April.
- Full closure of Commonwealth Avenue northbound lanes between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle from 8pm Thursday 16 April to 5am Monday 20 April. Detours will be in place.
Plan ahead
These temporary changes will impact how people travel to and around the city, including during major events such as the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, follow all detours and traffic control, and check live travel conditions before travelling.
The works also coincide with the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project, delivered by the National Capital Authority, which has closed the northbound span of the bridge.
Information on travel impacts is available at www.act.gov.au/builtforcbr/travel-impacts and the community can register for updates at www.act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden
