Lane Reductions and Light Rail Construction Drive Wednesday Morning Delays

Overview for Wednesday, 11 February

Canberra commuters should prepare for significant travel time increases this morning as major infrastructure projects and the final stages of the National Multicultural Festival impact the central road network. With the new 2026 bus timetable now in its second week, Transport Canberra has warned that morning peak travel times could increase by up to 13 minutes, particularly for those traveling southbound into the city.

Major Roadworks and Arterial Disruptions

Several high-traffic areas are currently undergoing heavy construction, leading to reduced speeds and lane shifts:

• Commonwealth Avenue: Essential works for the bridge renewal and Light Rail Stage 2A continue. Sections of the avenue are reduced to a single lane intermittently in both directions between Parkes Way and Albert Street. Commuters should expect these restrictions to be particularly tight during the evening transition starting at 8:00 pm.
• London Circuit: The western side remains closed between Northbourne Avenue and Edinburgh Avenue. This long-term closure is part of the light rail expansion and requires all motorists to detour via Vernon Circle or secondary city routes.
• Monaro Highway: Work on the Lanyon Drive interchange is in a critical phase. Northbound traffic has been switched to the eastern side of the new Dog Trap Creek Bridge. While two lanes remain open during peak periods, the new traffic configuration and lower speed limits are causing localized bottlenecking near Hume.
• William Hovell Drive: Early works for the duplication project between John Gorton Drive and Drake Brockman Drive have increased truck movements in the area. Motorists traveling from West Belconnen should allow extra time for site vehicle entries and exits.

National Multicultural Festival Wrap-Up

Today marks the final day for several temporary road closures associated with the National Multicultural Festival. Various streets within the City and around the Canberra Centre remain restricted to local traffic only or are fully closed for equipment pack-down. These closures are expected to be lifted late tonight, but they will continue to affect city-center parking and morning delivery routes throughout Wednesday.

Public Transport and Bus Services

Transport Canberra has transitioned to a new 'Construction Network' timetable to manage the impacts of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works. Rapid services are maintaining a 15-minute frequency, but several local routes in Belconnen have been modified. Passengers are advised to check the journey planner as some regular stops have been temporarily relocated to accommodate the ongoing utility works near London Circuit.

Commuter Advice

To avoid the heaviest congestion, commuters are encouraged to travel outside the 8:00 am to 9:00 am peak or utilize the dedicated bus and emergency service priority lanes now active on Commonwealth Avenue. If driving, please remain alert to new signage and the presence of workers near the Lanyon Drive flyover and the city light rail corridor.