Official Visit Motorcades and Enlighten Festival Closures to Impact Canberra Traffic Today

Guest of Government Visit: Morning Disruptions

Commuters heading toward the city or the airport this morning should prepare for intermittent delays. ACT Policing has confirmed that traffic disruptions will continue through to 9:00 AM today, Friday, 6 March 2026, due to an official guest of government visit. Motorcades are scheduled to travel between Canberra Airport, Yarralumla, and the Parliament House precinct. Police advise motorists to remain patient, follow directions at intersections, and avoid attempting to cross median strips if traffic is temporarily halted.

Enlighten Festival Nightly Closures

As the Enlighten Festival enters its final weekend, significant road closures will be implemented in the National Triangle this afternoon. Starting from 4:00 PM and lasting until midnight, several key roads will be closed to accommodate crowds attending the nightly illuminations and the "Lights! Canberra! Action!" short film festival at the Senate Rose Gardens. The following areas are affected:

• King Edward Terrace and King George Terrace (closed between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West).
• Queen Elizabeth Terrace and the internal loop road near the National Library of Australia.
• Parkes Place West (closed north of King Edward Terrace, with access restricted to the library car park).

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the Parliamentary Zone during the evening peak unless attending the festival, as congestion is expected to be heavy on Commonwealth Avenue and surrounding feeder roads.

Major Arteries and Maintenance Work

Maintenance crews and major infrastructure projects continue to influence travel times across the Territory today:

• Canberra Avenue: Resurfacing work in Fyshwick will result in lane closures between Hindmarsh Drive and Gilmore Road. These works are scheduled between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM to avoid the primary morning and afternoon peaks.
• Adelaide Avenue: Final guardrail maintenance is taking place today. Expect reduced speed limits and partial lane closures near the State Circle off-ramp.
• Monaro Highway: Long-term construction continues at the Lanyon Drive interchange in Hume. While the new flyover is progressing, speed restrictions remain in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
• William Hovell Drive: Site preparation for the duplication project is active near the John Gorton Drive intersection. Drivers should watch for new signage and construction vehicles entering the flow of traffic.

Public Transport and Shuttle Services

Transport Canberra has implemented bus diversions for routes passing through the National Triangle due to the Enlighten road closures. To assist festival-goers, a free Enlighten Shuttle bus will operate on a continuous loop starting from 5:00 PM tonight. The shuttle connects the City Interchange and various festival hubs, providing a reliable alternative to the limited parking available in Parkes. For regular commuters, it is recommended to check the Transport Canberra service alerts for specific stop relocations and timetable adjustments affected by evening event traffic.