After a three-year construction timeframe, work is now complete on Canberra’s Light Rail Stage One, the city’s biggest ever infrastructure project.
The new light rail system is now taking passengers, offering a new public transport option for the local community.
Canberra’s light rail was designed to form part of the city’s growing integrated transport system, which aims to connect people with employment, social and cultural hubs, reduce congestion, and ensure Canberra continues to be one of Australia’s most livable cities.
The light rail will run every six minutes during peak times with 13 stops on the 12km journey, travelling from the City to Gungahlin along Northbourne Avenue, the Federal Highway, and Flemington Road.
Canberra Metro will continue to grow the city’s transport network with the second stage of light rail: City to Woden.
Rail consortium celebrates
Stage One of the project has been delivered under a Public Private Partnership between the ACT Government and the Canberra Metro consortium, which consists of CIMIC Group companies, Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and UGL, with partners John Holland, Mitsubishi Corporation, Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments and CAF.
The PPP is for approximately 23 years and includes the construction and operation of Stage One of the light rail network for 20 years. At the end of the contract term, the ACT Government will assume ownership of the light rail network assets.
John Holland CEO, Joe Barr, thanked the project team who made the light rail a reality after three years of construction.
“We are so proud of all our people who worked hard on this historic project to make our capital city more connected than ever before. Canberra Metro carrying its first passengers marks an historic moment for this safe, modern and reliable new service,” Mr Barr said.
“We want to thank Canberrans for their patience during construction, and the ACT Government for trusting us with this iconic project. We look forward to working hard to make light rail their preferred choice for moving around the city.”
Launch day
Delivery of the project was marked by a day of celebration and free travel for all passengers along the route on Saturday 20 April 2019.
The event saw over 25,000 passengers between 8am and 4pm, 130 trips between Gungahlin and the City and 1560km travelled in total.
From 29 April all services will be free for one month to coincide with the launch of Canberra’s new transport network.
