Full Commonwealth Avenue Closure Scheduled for Late Tonight Amid Enlighten Festival Crowds

Major Traffic Disruptions and Roadworks Update

Canberra motorists and visitors should prepare for a complex commute this Saturday, 28 February 2026. The combination of the Enlighten Festival's opening weekend and significant infrastructure projects, including the Light Rail Stage 2A and the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge renewal, will lead to substantial road closures and detours across the city center and the National Triangle.

Key Road Closures and Timings

The most critical impact for tonight involves a full closure of Commonwealth Avenue. While the northbound lanes are already closed, a total closure in both directions between Parkes Way and Vernon Circle will commence at 11:30 PM tonight and remain in place until early Monday morning. This closure is essential for a major concrete pour for the new light rail bridge deck over Parkes Way.

• Commonwealth Avenue: Full closure between the Parkes Way on/off ramps and Vernon Circle starting at 11:30 PM. Prior to this, southbound travel is limited to a single lane.
• Parkes Way: Westbound lanes will be closed between the Commonwealth Avenue on/off ramps starting at 11:30 PM.
• London Circuit: London Circuit East remains closed in both directions between Commonwealth Avenue and Constitution Avenue.
• National Triangle: Various local road closures are in effect to support the Enlighten Illuminations and the Festival Hub at John Dunmore Lang Place.

Public Transport and Free Travel Alert

To alleviate congestion, Transport Canberra is offering free travel on all bus and light rail services after 6:00 PM tonight. This initiative, designed to support the night-time economy during the festival, allows commuters to tap on with a MyWay+ card or bank card without being charged a fare. Please note that those using single-use paper tickets should avoid scanning them during this period to prevent unnecessary activation.

A dedicated Enlighten shuttle bus is operating tonight, connecting the City Interchange with the Parliamentary Triangle to help visitors move between the illuminations and the Festival Hub. Passengers are reminded that the 2026 construction bus network is in effect, which features adjusted timetables to account for the ongoing bridge works. Light rail services will continue to run at their standard Saturday frequencies.

Advice for Commuters

Those heading into the city for the Enlighten projections (5:00 PM to 11:00 PM) are encouraged to utilize the Park & Ride facilities or the free evening public transport. If driving is necessary, detour via Edinburgh Avenue and the Lawson Crescent exit to bypass the Commonwealth Avenue works. Expect delays of approximately 10–15 minutes on major arteries connecting the south of Canberra to the CBD.