Major Delays on Commonwealth Avenue as Bridge Renewal and Enlighten Festival Impact Canberra Commutes

Morning Overview for Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Canberra commuters should prepare for significant travel time increases this morning, particularly for those crossing the lake or heading into the City. The combination of the ongoing Commonwealth Avenue Bridge renewal and the active construction for Light Rail Stage 2A continues to reshape the morning peak. Additionally, local road resurfacing and the Enlighten Festival schedule are impacting various parts of the territory.

Major Arteries and Bridge Disruptions

The National Capital Authority’s renewal of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge remains the primary source of congestion. With one span of the bridge closed, traffic modelling suggests an additional 13 minutes of travel time during the southbound morning peak. Motorists are encouraged to use the Kings Avenue Bridge as an alternative, though increased volume there is also expected.

• London Circuit: The western side remains closed between Northbourne Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue. On the eastern side, sections between Northbourne Avenue and Theatre Lane are also shut to allow for utility relocations.
• Northbourne Avenue: Traffic is reduced to two lanes in each way between Alinga Street and Vernon Circle.
• William Hovell Drive: Early works for the duplication project between John Gorton Drive and Drake Brockman Drive are underway. While main construction has not caused total closures yet, site setup and surveying may cause minor localized slowing.

Local Roadworks and Resurfacing

Several suburbs will see lane closures today due to the ACT Government’s annual road resurfacing program. While some works are scheduled for tonight to minimize impact, daytime resealing will affect the following areas between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm:

• Gungahlin: Manning Clark Crescent, specifically the stretch from The Valley Avenue to Henry Kendall Street.
• Kambah: Lane closures are expected on Learmonth Drive (Athllon Drive to Meridith Circuit) and Mannheim Street.
• Namadgi: A permanent speed limit change to 80 km/h takes effect today on Orroral Road from the Boboyan Road intersection to the National Park entry.

For those travelling tonight, be aware that asphalt patching will close off-ramps from State Circuit and Hopetoun Circuit to Adelaide Avenue in Deakin starting from 8:00 pm.

Public Transport and Special Events

Transport Canberra is operating under the 2026 Revised Construction Timetable. Commuters should note that Rapid 2, 3, and 4 services have reduced frequencies, now running every 15 minutes. Due to the Enlighten Festival, nightly road closures in the National Triangle are in effect from 5:00 pm. Bus routes servicing the Parliamentary Triangle will be diverted, and several stops near the lake may be closed during the evening festivities.