Major Delays Expected on Commonwealth Avenue as New Bus Timetable Commences

Commuter Overview for Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Canberra commuters should prepare for significant travel time increases this morning, particularly those traveling from the southern suburbs into the City. With the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge renewal project now in a high-impact phase, traffic modeling suggests that southbound morning peak travel times will increase by approximately 13 minutes. While this is expected to ease slightly to a 7-minute delay during the afternoon peak, motorists are advised to allow extra time or consider alternative routes such as the Kings Avenue Bridge.

Public Transport: New Bus Network Launch

A reminder for all public transport users that an updated bus network and timetable officially commenced on Monday, 2 February 2026. These changes have been implemented to maintain service reliability during the ongoing bridge works and Light Rail Stage 2A construction. Key updates include:

• Adjusted Timetables: Most Rapid and local bus routes have been recalibrated to account for slower traffic flow through the Parliamentary Triangle and the CBD.
• School Services: School bus information packs have been updated for the start of the 2026 term. Parents and students should verify their specific route numbers as some stop locations have shifted.
• City Interchange: Major changes remain in place at the City bus interchange, with some platforms relocated to accommodate the Raising London Circuit project.

Major Roadworks and Closures

Infrastructure projects continue to impact several major arteries across the capital today:

• London Circuit: The western side of London Circuit remains closed between Northbourne Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. Additionally, Northbourne Avenue is reduced to two lanes in each direction between Alinga Street and Vernon Circle.
• Monaro Highway: At Hume, northbound traffic remains switched to the eastern side of the new Dog Trap Creek Bridge. While two lanes are being maintained during peak periods, the speed limit is reduced through the construction zone.
• Gundaroo Drive: Expect delays in Gungahlin with new entry feature construction. Speed limits are reduced to 60 km/h on Gundaroo Drive near the intersections of Baldwin Drive and Owen Dixon Drive, with further reductions to 40 km/h at the specific entry and exit points.
• Athllon Drive: Utility works between Drakeford Drive and Vosper Street have resulted in a 40 km/h speed limit, which is expected to remain in place through late February.
• William Hovell Drive: Early works for the duplication project, including site compound establishment and surveying, are active between Drake-Brockman Drive and John Gorton Drive. While major lane closures are not yet scheduled for today, commuters should watch for slow-moving site vehicles.

Planning Ahead

Looking toward tomorrow, residents should note that Coppins Crossing Road will be fully closed between Holborow Avenue and Hazel Hawke Avenue on Thursday, 5 February, for a major concrete pour on the Molonglo River Bridge. For today, stay updated via real-time GPS apps and the official Transport Canberra website for the latest service alerts.