Arabic version: ترحيب من شركات كانبيرا بإعادة فتح شارع لندن سيركيت إيست
According to ABC News, the ACT government plans to partially reopen London Circuit East and restore public access to the Theatre Lane car park after 18 months of light rail construction. The construction compound in the car park is due to be dismantled by Saturday.
The planned road reopening would allow drivers and cyclists to travel along London Circuit East, past the car park, and turn left onto Northbourne Avenue for the first time since the start of last year. Construction fencing will continue to be removed as works are completed, while scaffolding at the City South and Commonwealth Park stops is expected to come down in coming weeks.
The Theatre Lane car park previously had more than 200 bays, but 57 public spaces are set to reopen as room is made for the new Lyric Theatre. ACT Planning Minister Chris Steel said areas of the city would begin opening again as construction progresses.
Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Greg Harford described the partial reopening as the “start of the light at the end of the first tunnel”. He said roadworks had been devastating for many businesses because customers had struggled to reach premises, while warning that challenges would continue for businesses on the western side of London Circuit.
Florist Pierce Jackson said construction had left one of his family’s city stores with no passing traffic and sometimes only two customers a week. He said the business had relied on online deliveries and welcomed the scheduled reopening, while expressing concern for businesses elsewhere in the city. The government said Light Rail Stage 2A remains on track for construction completion in the first half of 2027 for testing, with passengers expected in 2028.
