Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, a key link between Canberra's north and south, will be reduced from six lanes to three for two years starting later this year. The $137.5 million project aims to strengthen the bridge, which has not undergone major upgrades since opening in 1963.
The National Capital Authority (NCA) says the work will safeguard the bridge for the next 60 years. The project will also widen shared pathways, install new lighting, and replace safety barriers.
Construction will occur in two 12-month stages: first the western span (northbound lanes), then the eastern span (southbound lanes). During each stage, only one side of the bridge will be open, reducing capacity to three lanes for traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists in both directions.
Transport Minister Chris Steel warned that the works will unavoidably impact bus services, with nearly 1,400 Transport Canberra bus crossings daily. Weekday bus frequencies will be temporarily reduced, though the exact number of affected services is not yet clear.
The NCA is conducting a traffic management assessment to determine impacts on travel times. A new bus timetable will be released once the assessment is finalised. Options to prioritise public transport are being considered but not yet decided.
The bridge works are separate from the planned light rail extension across Lake Burley Griffin, which remains in the planning stage and would involve building a new bridge. Minister Steel noted that simultaneous construction would not have been feasible.
