Canberra motorists are to spend the next few weeks taking the long way round as detours and traffic changes herald the beginning of infrastructure works for the extension of the city light rail.
Announcing the changes, City Services said site establishment and works to support major infrastructure improvements across the city would be gradually rolled out over the coming weeks.
“Construction is underway at the roundabout intersection of Coranderrk Street and Parkes Way to install traffic lights to control the westbound right turn from Parkes Way into Coranderrk Street and improve traffic flow during the upcoming construction of major infrastructure projects,” the Directorate said.
“For five consecutive upcoming weekends there will be no westbound access from Parkes Way into Coranderrk Street,” it said.
“This means vehicles will be unable to turn right at the roundabout intersection. Detour signage will be in place with vehicles to be detoured via Edinburgh Avenue.”
City Services said weekend closures were expected to begin from midnight each Friday, beginning tomorrow (16 September), and remain closed until 6am on the following Monday morning
It asked Floriade visitors to be mindful of the changed traffic arrangements in place.
“To further support the traffic movements of buses and other vehicles during the construction of upcoming infrastructure projects, the ACT Government will also install temporary traffic lights on the northern side of Vernon Circle to allow safe right-turn movements to access Constitution Avenue and London Circuit,” the Directorate said.
“This work is expected to take around 8-12 weeks.”
It said a permanent new footpath and pedestrian signals between Constitution Ave and Edinburgh Ave would be constructed to support walking and cycling access around the city area during the construction period and beyond.
Meanwhile, selected car parks across the city are to be used as construction site compounds and construction work sites as part of the project to raise London Circuit.
City Services said the four surface carparks would be at Territory’s City Hill car park, 41 Marcus Clarke Street car park, Acton waterfront car park and the car park at the corner of London Circuit and Edinburgh Avenue.
