Page 4231 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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Significant road works, such a road widening along the route, have been ticking along well. Around 1,000 trees and thousands of plants have been grown in preparation for landscaping along the corridor. The team at Transport Canberra have also been hard at work planning for the delivery of our new bus network that will be integrated with light rail.
Most recently, the Chief Minister and a team from Transport Canberra visited the manufacturer of the vehicles to see how the rolling stock is taking shape. As I mentioned earlier, they reported back the exciting news that the first light rail vehicle is just about to be shipped out to Australia.
This is a large, complicated infrastructure project, as all city-shaping infrastructure projects are. But day by day Canberrans can now see real progress. As the government gets on with the job of delivering light rail for the ACT, it is, indeed, disappointing to continue to see the lack of overall support for the vision for our transport network from those opposite. I look forward to continuing to update the Assembly on progress with light rail.
MR STEEL: Minister, what can Canberrans expect to see as this work continues along the light rail corridor?
MS FITZHARRIS: I was very pleased to join with the Chief Minister, Mr Pettersson and other stakeholders, including Transport Canberra, Canberra Metro and the Public Transport Association of Canberra to mark the first track laying in Gungahlin on 6 October. Laying track is a complex, laborious and very precise task that literally sits upon the months of work that has been done underground to create a base for the track. I know that the very visible milestone of track being laid must have been incredibly rewarding for all of those involved with the project.
I wish to acknowledge that the construction of such a major piece of public transport infrastructure can bring some disruption for those living in and near the work zone. The initial track laying confirms to our community who have patiently lived through much of this disruption that progress is being made and we are closer and closer to being able to take full advantage of the benefits that this sustainable, modern transport network will bring.
MS ORR: What are the upcoming major project milestones for stage 1 of light rail?
MS FITZHARRIS: I thank Ms Orr for the supplementary question. Indeed, one of the most exciting upcoming project milestones is that which I mentioned in my earlier answer, and that is the arrival of the first light rail vehicle in Canberra. It is being prepared for shipment from Spain as we speak.
Transport Canberra will be giving those interested the opportunity to track the progress of the ship via social media. The journey will take just over one month and we should expect to have the wrapped vehicle safely delivered to the new depot just off Flemington Road in Mitchell in December. The vehicle will then undergo preliminary testing and final fitout, ready to start testing along the northern section of
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