Commuter Alert: Significant Delays on Commonwealth Avenue and Nightly Closures for Enlighten Festival

Morning Commute: Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Disruptions

Canberra commuters should prepare for a challenging Tuesday morning, particularly those traveling from northern suburbs into the City and Parliamentary Triangle. The ongoing renewal project on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge continues to be the primary source of congestion. With half of the bridge lanes closed to accommodate structural works and Light Rail Stage 2A preparations, southbound travel times during the morning peak are currently averaging an additional 9 to 13 minutes. While the specific single-lane restriction at the Parkes Way off-ramp is scheduled to lift at 5:00 AM this morning, the general reduction of capacity remains in effect. Motorists are encouraged to consider the Kings Avenue Bridge as an alternative, though expect secondary congestion there as traffic diverts.

Evening Alert: Enlighten Festival Road Closures

As the Enlighten Festival enters its first full week, nightly traffic management plans are significantly impacting the National Triangle. Starting at 4:00 PM today and continuing until midnight, several key thoroughfares will be closed to all non-event traffic. These closures include:

• King George Terrace and King Edward Terrace between Parkes Place East and West.
• Queen Elizabeth Terrace and the National Library of Australia internal loop road.
• Parkes Place West, closed north of King Edward Terrace with restricted access to the National Library car park.
• Parliament Square at Queen Victoria Terrace.

Commuters leaving the city after 4:00 PM should avoid the National Triangle or use the dedicated Enlighten Festival shuttle buses if attending the event. Traffic marshals will be on-site to assist with detours, but significant local delays are expected around the lake's edge.

Public Transport and Bus Network Changes

Transport Canberra’s 2026 'construction network' timetable is in full operation today. Due to the bridge works, Rapid services are scheduled every 15 minutes to maintain reliability. High-capacity articulated buses have been deployed on the R4 route to manage peak demand. Commuters are reminded that the Regatta Point bus stop (8889) remains closed; passengers should use the nearest available stops at Commonwealth Avenue or London Circuit. If you are heading to the Enlighten Festival tonight, special bus diversions are in place for routes passing through the National Triangle. Check the latest MyWay+ alerts before heading to your stop.

Regional Roadworks and Maintenance

Work continues on the Monaro Highway southbound flyover at Lanyon Drive. While the major weekend closures have concluded, speed limits remain reduced to 40km/h through the construction zone. Additionally, street sweeping and asphalt maintenance teams are active today in Braddon, Dickson, and the Kingston Foreshore. Please drive carefully around maintenance vehicles and follow all posted signage to ensure the safety of road crews.