Plans submitted to raise London Circuit to make way for next stage of light rail

The ACT government has lodged an application with the authority to raise London Circuit and public consultation for the project has opened.

The proposal would see London Circuit raised by six metres to be in line with Commonwealth Avenue. Work would change the current split-level, overpass-underpass configuration into a level intersection.

It will require 60,000 cubic metres of fill.

The raising of London Circuit would allow for the light rail to be extended from its current end point at Alinga Street to Commonwealth Avenue.

The extension to Commonwealth Avenue is the first stage of the ACT government's planned extension to Woden.

Transport Minister Chris Steel said the raising of London Circuit would make the area more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

"Raising London Circuit is a key step towards delivering light rail to Woden," he said.

"It will provide an at-grade intersection with Commonwealth Avenue to support light rail and improve the connection of the city and the lake.

"The project will transform the southern end of the CBD from an untraversable road interchange, into people oriented streets for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport."

Early works have already started on raising London Circuit, with the government moving various underground utilities from their current position on London Circuit to a new alignment on Constitution Avenue, Vernon Circle and Edinburgh Avenue.

Construction on the project is expected to start next year, pending approval.

The plans come after a recent auditor-general report cast doubt on assumptions in the light rail's stage 2A business case.

The report found the government's 2019 business case relied too heavily on so-called "transformational projects" around the transport corridor.

MORE A.C.T. POLITICS NEWS:

An updated business case should take into account Canberra passenger data and post-COVID expectations for commuting, the audit suggested.

The federal government signed off on environmental approval for the extension to Commonwealth Avenue, or Stage 2A, earlier this year.

Stage 2A is jointly funded by the ACT and Commonwealth, with the federal government providing $135 million to help build the light rail from Alinga Street.

Plans for the project are on the National Capital Authority website. There will also be videos, maps and fact sheets on the project.

The public will be able to make comments on the project until December 10.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: