Canberra Metro will undertake night maintenance works along sections of the light rail track for two weeks from Monday 20 January until Friday 31 January 2020. These works will involve grinding and welding activity to ensure the light rail system continues to perform well.
Most of the works will happen late at night and will not impact light rail services. However there will be some changes to evening services from Sunday 26 January 2020 to Thursday 30 January 2020 inclusive. From 8pm on these evenings, Transport Canberra bus services will replace all light rail services (in both directions) between Dickson and Gungahlin.
In the event of a Total Fire Ban, Canberra Metro has obtained permission from the ACT Emergency Services Agency to continue with these night maintenance works.
Relevant safety precautions will be in place when conducting any welding activity that include a dedicated “fire spotter” resource specifically tasked with fire checking, maintaining a water cart and fire extinguishers close to the works and ensuring that no flammable materials are in proximity of the maintenance works.
Timing and location of maintenance works
Sunday 26 January 2020 – Friday 31 January 2020
- Weather permitting, these night works will commence from Sunday 26 January 2020, from 8 pm.
- Works will be scheduled between 8.00pm and 6.00am each evening with all maintenance expected to be completed by 6 am, Friday 31 January 2020.
- The maintenance works will take place at various locations along the light rail route, particularly on Flemington Road – near Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell and also between Manning Clark Crescent and Kate Crace Street, Gungahlin.
Effects on public transport users
- During these maintenance works light rail services will operate as per normal at the start of each day commencing from 6 am.
- From 8pm, each evening from Sunday 26 January 2020 to Thursday 30 January, Transport Canberra bus services will replace light rail services (in both directions) from Dickson interchange to Gungahlin Place.
- Customers will be required to use bus stops located near each light rail stop on Northbourne Avenue and Flemington Road.
- Bus service replacement vehicles will operate to the 15 minute light rail frequency.
- Customers will not be required to tap on and off when entering and exiting these bus services.
- All northbound light rail services leaving the City at Alinga Street after the 7.30 pm service will terminate at Dickson Interchange. Customers continuing their journey from Dickson will be directed to a bus replacement service.
- All southbound light rail services leaving Gungahlin Place after the 7.45 pm service will be replaced by buses, terminating at Dickson Interchange. Customers continuing their journey from Dickson will transfer to the light rail service.
- Light rail services will operate as normal between Dickson Interchange and Alinga Street, City.
- For locations of bus replacement stops between Dickson and Gungahlin visit cmet.com.au/light-rail-stops
Effects on traffic, pedestrians and cyclists
- No detours to motorists will be required.
- The speed limit on Flemington Road will be reduced to 40 km/h near the work locations.
- The bicycle lane on Flemington Road (adjacent to the EPIC Park and Ride Carpark) will be closed during the evening works. Cyclists will be required to use the footpath in this area.
- The pedestrian crossing on Flemington Road between Manning Clark Crescent and Kate Crace Street, Gungahlin will be closed from Monday 20th January until Friday 31st January 2020.
- Traffic control operators will be on site to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
- Signage will be in place to alert all road users to the night works.
Additional information
Some construction noise is expected while these works are happening. Canberra Metro has strategies in place to minimise impacts where possible. The project team will also ensure the number of machines operating at the same time is limited and equipment is turned off when not in use.
Canberra Metro has distributed a notice about the works to nearby residents and businesses and appreciates the patience of the public and the support of the community whilst undertaking these works.
For more information call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.