The Territory has signed a contract for the raising of London Circuit, officially kick-starting major changes to Canberra’s city centre.
Announced by the Minister for Transport, Chris Steel, the raising project is to be headed by Abergeldie Contractors with main construction works to start later this year.
Mr Steel said around 60,000 cubic metres of fill would be used to raise London Circuit by six metres to form an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue and provide dedicated cycle paths.
“Raising London Circuit will support many of our key projects in the city, including the extension of light rail to Woden, the renewal of the Canberra Theatre precinct and will enable better connections to the Acton Waterfront,” Mr Steel said.
“This significant project will make sure Canberra grows as a sustainable, vibrant and connected city, with better access between the city and the lake,” he said.
“The transformation of London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue will create a better environment for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.”
Mr Steel said the project would also see the removal of barriers for cyclists and pedestrians in the southern part of the city.
He said the construction would lead to changes to the road network, with major disruptions expected from early 2023 when demolition commences on the existing Commonwealth Avenue bridges across London Circuit.
“To help keep traffic moving while these works are underway, the ACT Government is installing traffic lights at the Coranderrk Street roundabout on Parkes Way,” Mr Steel said.
“Construction will start soon, and is expected to be completed before the most disruptive period of works in 2023.
He said temporary traffic lights would also be installed on the northern side of Vernon Circle to allow safe right-turn movements onto Constitution Avenue and London Circuit for public transport, along with new pedestrian signals and a path around City Hill to link Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue.
He said two of the existing cloverleaf ramps would be removed as part of the works, with alternative access routes via Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue to channel traffic to the City’s west and east.
“Canberrans can also expect road, bus and traffic diversions, as the section of London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed for the duration of construction,” Mr Steel said.
