In a few weeks, preliminary works for stage 2A of Canberra's light rail project will begin and commuters are being warned they can expect four years of major roadworks as the tracks head towards Woden.
ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel today confirmed that stage 2A of the light rail project would likely be much more disruptive than stage 1, saying it would cause traffic congestion never before experienced in Canberra.
'Rethink their route and rethink their routine'
Mr Steel said the project would cause such a large disturbance because, unlike the first stage which was mostly constructed on existing median strips, 2A will see the demolition of overpasses and the raising of a major road.
But, to help ease difficulty for Canberrans, he said the government would establish a "disruption task force", focused on minimising the impacts of the construction work and suggesting alternative routes for Canberrans to take.
"Canberrans should have the confidence that we'll be communicating early, and often on a daily basis, during the construction period so that they have the information they need," he said.
The government is not taking all the responsibility for solving the traffic problem though, instead calling for people to "rethink their route and rethink their routine".
Mr Steel said if people changed the times they drove into the city, and the way they drove there, it would ease the congestion significantly.
He suggested avoiding driving through the city at all during peak times, suggesting instead people went around the CBD to get to the north end of Civic.
Major construction of the project is not expected to begin until the second quarter of 2022, but Canberrans can expect to see two site compounds established for the works along the route in the next few weeks.
Mr Steel also said the government would be working very closely with businesses affected by the construction, particularly around London Circuit, but will not be providing them financial compensation.
ACT Opposition transport spokesman Mark Parton said the efforts being made to protect local businesses were not enough.
He said the government's plan to communicate with businesses about where construction was up to was not actually going to help them.
Mr Parton also slammed the government's suggestion that commuters avoid the city.
"Well if you work in the city, that's where you're going," he said.
"It's not short-term pain. We're talking about four years."
Mr Steel conceded that the works would take a great deal of time and cause significant congestion, but that the completion of light rail stage 2A was a step toward a more "sustainable, vibrant and better-connected city."