Shaping the future of Canberra as one of the world’s most liveable and competitive cities

Canberrans have been enjoying the benefits of light rail. It has created a step change in public transport patronage, reducing emissions while improving the productivity and liveability of our city. Major Projects Canberra has engaged AECOM as the Technical Advisor for the next stage of this city-wide light rail network.

Light Rail Stage 2 will connect the existing Stage 1 rail line to Woden. This project is providing a north-south public transport spine that services a growing population and addresses Canberra’s need for increased liveability and accessibility, as well as enabling the ACT Government’s climate commitments.

The key stakeholders include Transport Canberra City Services (TCCS), National Capital Authority (NCA), and City Renewal Authority (CRA). The expansion of the Light Rail is a vital element of TCCS’s transport strategy for the future of Canberra, addressing its objectives of managing congestion, reducing emissions and supporting a compact, efficient and vibrant city. Priorities for the NCA and CRA include ensuring that the design and service of the light rail enriches the city centre and represents Canberra, as the nation’s capital, at its best.

AECOM is providing the Technical Advisory (TA) services to Major Projects Canberra (MPC) for the engineering design and environmental approvals for Light Rail Stage 2.  As the TA we will form a single integrated team with MPC staff and advisors, to deliver coordinated, progressively assured design and outcomes.

Throughout our methodology, we will engage with stakeholders to resolve issues, while maintaining design, approval, and delivery momentum. Our approach includes working in a common data environment empowered by integrated digital engineering systems, tools, and processes.

The project’s location across the City Centre and into the Parliamentary Zone requires sensitive handling across multiple planning jurisdictions, and a sophisticated approach to the interfaces between the public and the light rail.

The existing infrastructure of Stage 1 will be integrated with wire free systems for Stage 2 and future-proofing the network continues to be a priority.