Canberra's light rail services will be replaced by buses on the first weekend of July as construction continues on the city to Commonwealth Park extension.
From the first service on Saturday, July 4, to the last service on Sunday, July 5, light rail services will be replaced by rail replacement buses between Gungahlin Place and Alinga Street.
There will also be temporary road closures and lane reductions on Northbourne Avenue and surrounding streets.
Rail replacement buses, operated by CDC Canberra, will operate in both directions and service every regular light rail stop along the light rail corridor.
Bus services will run at about the same or better frequency of timetabled light rail services.
Works will take place around the Alinga Street light rail stop and platforms, and at the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and Rudd Street/Bunda Street.
An Infrastructure Canberra spokesperson said customers were encouraged to allow extra travel time and to check the Transport Canberra website for detailed information on rail replacement bus stop locations and service details.
"The light rail network closure has been planned on a weekend to minimise the impact on commuters," the spokesperson said.
Customers were also advised that the MyWay+ journey planner may not align to actual journey during the disruption periods and were encouraged to allow extra time if needed. Wayfinding signage will be in place on the ground.
Regular light rail services are set to resume from the first service on Monday, July 6.
Motorists should expect temporary road closures and lane reductions on Northbourne Avenue and surrounding streets over the weekend, including a full closure of the southbound lanes between Bunda Street and Alinga Street from 1am to 5am on Sunday, July 5, and from 1am to 5am on Monday, July 6, with local access maintained from Cooyong Street under traffic control where possible.
Northbourne Avenue will also be reduced to one lane in each direction between Mouat Street and Swinden Street from 1am Saturday, July 4, until 5am Monday, July 6, to support construction crews to extend light rail further through the city.
Detours will be in place via key routes. Traffic controllers, signage and wayfinding will be in place across the network to help road users move safely through the area, the spokesperson said.
Pedestrian crossings at the southern end of the Alinga Street light rail stop will be temporarily closed, with alternative crossings available at Rudd/Bunda Street and London Circuit. Access to nearby businesses, residences and key facilities will be maintained, with traffic management in place.
The works also coincide with the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project, delivered by the National Capital Authority, which has closed the northbound span of the bridge.
Road users are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, follow all detours and traffic control, and check live travel conditions before travelling.
About 10,000 car parking spaces are available across the city, the spokesperson said, with free parking Wednesday to Sunday evenings from 5.30pm at nearby public car parks. More information and the city parking map are available online.
Public transport information on bus and light rail services can be found at transport.act.gov.au.
