The Australasian Railway Association (ARA)’s CEO Caroline Wilkie today welcomed the official start of construction of the Stage 2A extension from Civic to Commonwealth Park.

“Canberrans can look forward to a city with world-class public transport, thanks to future-proof transport infrastructure that is safe, accessible and sustainable.

“If we want to ensure continued investment and urban renewal in the nation’s capital, and meet the challenge of providing our growing population with an efficient and environmentally friendly public transport system, then light rail is the answer.”

Ms Wilkie said the first stage of the Canberra Light Rail had already delivered huge economic, environmental and social benefits to the community with the revitalisation of Northbourne Avenue and around the Dickson precinct.

“We have already seen how light rail acts as a catalyst for continued urban renewal with the first stage of the Canberra Light Rail project,” Ms Wilkie said.

“The project has facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment and completely transformed the gateway corridor into the nation’s capital.

“This level of urban development and revitalisation is due to the certainty that permanent public transport infrastructure such as light rail provides.”

ARA research shows that light rail can move between 4,000 and 20,000 people per hour in one direction in space equivalent to one lane of road traffic. The same space dedicated to an arterial road lane could move only 800 cars (or less than 1,000 people) per hour, while the same space dedicated to buses would move between 2,000 and 8,000 people per hour, according to the ARA’s report, The Renaissance of Light Rail.

“Rail plays a significant role in our journey to net zero emissions and the Canberra Light Rail offers an accessible, safe, easy-to-use transport solution that eases congestion and dramatically reduces carbon emissions,” Ms Wilkie said.

The project includes the construction of 1.7 kilometres of new rail line from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park, a new bridge over Parkes Way, and three new stations for City Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park.

Construction is due to be complete in 2027. Light rail services will connect Gungahlin and North Canberra to City West, the ANU, New Acton, Commonwealth Park and Lake Burley Griffin.