The Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) welcomes today’s announcement that the contracts to build and operate Light Rail Stage 2A are now signed, and an additional $125.5 million in funding has been contributed by the Federal Government.
This is a significant milestone for a transport project that will transform Canberra’s city centre and enable future delivery of light rail to Woden.
“Light Rail Stage 2 will completely change and improve the way we travel around the city,” said PTCBR Chair Ryan Hemsley.
“For far too long, City West and surrounds have been dominated by bitumen, parked cars and rabbits. Stage 2A will transform this blighted landscape and bring the city and lake closer together for all Canberrans to enjoy.”
By extending the light rail network south to Commonwealth Park, Stage 2A will create a long overdue mass transit link between Civic and Lake Burley Griffin. It will invigorate parts of the city that suffer from poor public transport and pedestrian connections, and will support the development of new, well-located jobs, homes, and amenities in Canberra’s city centre.
Light Rail Stage 2A will introduce several new features to Canberra’s light rail network, including:
- green light rail tracks
- new best-practice intersection designs
- protected cycling infrastructure
- wire-free battery technology
“It’s certainly been a long road to this announcement, and we congratulate the ACT Government, the Federal Government, Major Projects Canberra and Canberra Metro on reaching this important milestone,” added Mr Hemsley.
“We look forward to seeing those shiny red light rail vehicles gliding through Canberra’s revitalised city centre, all the way down to the lake along beautiful green tracks.”
“Next stop, Woden.”
Ryan Hemsley is the Chair of the Public Transport Association of Canberra, the Canberra region’s public transport lobby group.