Canberra's Transport System Braces for School Return Amid Major Bridge Works
As Canberra prepares for the return of school students in early February, the city's transport network faces significant challenges with the partial closure of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the implementation of a completely redesigned bus timetable. Transport Canberra modelling indicates that commuters travelling south across the bridge during morning peak times could experience delays of up to 13 minutes, creating uncertainty for thousands of daily travellers.
Redesigned Bus Network Launches Amid Uncertainty
Executive Branch Manager of Bus Operations at Transport Canberra, Ian McGlinn, has acknowledged the substantial impact of the bridge closure on the city's transport infrastructure. The partial closure, which restricts traffic to one lane in each direction plus a northbound public transport lane, has necessitated a complete overhaul of the bus network with ramifications throughout the ACT.
"We've built the new timetable on the best traffic modelling we had available," Mr McGlinn stated, "but until February 2nd when everyone's back at school and work, we won't see how accurate that is."
The transport official revealed that while northbound delays are expected to be minimal, southbound commuters face the most significant challenges. Modelling suggests 13-minute delays during morning peaks, reducing to approximately seven minutes additional travel time during afternoon peak periods.
Monitoring and Adaptation Strategies
Transport authorities will implement comprehensive monitoring systems when the new timetable commences on Monday, February 2. Roads ACT will deploy cameras on the bridge to monitor traffic flow, while Transport Canberra maintains close radio contact with bus drivers to respond to emerging issues in real-time.
"We'll all be starting early on February 2nd and keeping a close eye on what's happening on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge," Mr McGlinn assured the public. "There's a lot of unknown - it could turn out that we've got it correct, which would be fantastic, or there could be greater delays than anticipated."
Long-Term Infrastructure Project Impacts
The Commonwealth Avenue Bridge works represent a significant infrastructure project expected to take up to two years to complete. The National Capital Authority is undertaking the most substantial upgrades since the bridge's opening in 1963, widening the structure to accommodate future growth.
The bridge closure has already prompted substantial changes to Canberra's transport patterns. From 44,900 vehicles using the bridge daily in mid-January 2025, traffic has dropped to 29,790 vehicles by January 15, 2026. The ACT government estimates approximately 35,000 vehicles will use the bridge on weekdays from February 2.
Service Reductions and Commuter Adaptation
To preserve system reliability, Transport Canberra has implemented service reductions across the network. The updated bus schedule will see 970 weekday bus trips during school term periods, down from approximately 1,084 daily services that previously crossed the bridge.
Mr McGlinn emphasised that commuter behaviour will likely adapt to the new conditions. "People will rethink their travel habits," he predicted. "They'll consider how to reach the south side of the lake at different times, whether to start journeys earlier, or perhaps arrive at work slightly later."
Notably, school bus services will not commence until Monday, February 2, despite new students returning to school on Friday, January 30. Families have been advised to check changes to their children's school bus routes on the Transport Canberra website to ensure smooth transitions.
Future Network Adjustments
Transport Canberra anticipates further updates to the bus network in the second half of 2026 as the bridge works progress and commuter patterns become clearer. The current adjustments represent the first phase of what will likely be an evolving transport strategy throughout the construction period.
As Canberra navigates this significant infrastructure challenge, transport authorities remain cautiously optimistic while acknowledging the inherent uncertainties of major network changes. The coming weeks will reveal how effectively the new timetable manages the complex interplay of school traffic, commuter patterns, and ongoing construction impacts.
