Page 2788 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
As we know, light rail will transform and revitalise our growing city. I thank local residents, traders and road users for their patience while these important works continue.
MS CHEYNE: What can Canberrans expect to see during this stage of construction, Minister, and what are the upcoming construction milestones?
MS FITZHARRIS: Canberrans can expect to see significant ongoing construction activity as we deliver this essential project for our city. Construction activity will be concentrated in the northern section from the Federal Highway to Gungahlin over the coming months, with widening of roadways, notably Flemington Road; relocation of utilities; and laying concrete track slab and soon light rail track along the alignment. A slip form concrete paving machine is being used to place concrete track slab, with some hand-pouring of intersections and with the stabling yard in the depot.
To date over 2.5 kilometres of track slab has been placed. Construction works at the Mitchell depot will continue to focus on preparing the track and completing the light rail operations centre and maintenance facilities. Over the coming months we will also see a prototype stop in Flemington Road near Nullarbor Avenue, and track slab construction begin between Northbourne Avenue and Alinga Street later this year.
Light rail vehicles are currently in production. The first light rail vehicle will arrive at the Mitchell depot later this year. Following static testing and commissioning within the depot and stabling yard, we anticipate seeing light rail vehicles commencing testing along the northern section of the track from early 2018. I am sure that Mr Coe will be just as excited as I am to see light rail vehicles running up and down Flemington Road in our electorate in the coming months.
MR STEEL: How is the government working to ensure minimal disruption to the community during construction?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Mr Steel for this question. It is an important question. As we all know, the light rail project is the largest construction project ever undertaken in the territory. We understand that construction can cause disruption to people as they travel around the city. Our government is working closely with Canberra Metro to ensure minimal disruption during construction by communicating regularly with the community and affected residents and businesses.
Construction activities that impact traffic along the corridor are included in construction updates to the public via the Canberra Metro and Transport Canberra and City Services websites, social media channels, electronic news bulletins, text messages, radio interviews and through paid advertising.
An interactive map is available on the Canberra Metro website to inform the community of works being conducted out of normal working hours and at major intersections to supplement these communication channels. Temporary traffic
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video