Canberra's light rail network will become wireless through the Parliamentary Triangle as construction continues into the city's south, following a joint investment from the federal and ACT governments.
It was announced this morning that a contract had been awarded for early works on stage 2 of the network, with five new wire-free light rail vehicles to be introduced from 2024, while the existing vehicles would be retrofitted with onboard batteries.
In a statement, the ACT government said this would enable the vehicles to operate wirelessly along the route's extension throughout the parliamentary zone, stage 2A to Commonwealth Park and stage 2B towards Woden respectively.
The government said it would also be expanding its light rail depot at Mitchell to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the fleet, with construction expected to be completed in mid-2024.
Contract for wireless network a 'critical milestone'
The government said work to raise London Circuit as part of the construction of light rail stage 2A was expected to commence "soon".
"This will be followed by the submission of an environmental assessment and works approval application for the stage 2A project, so construction of the light rail line can commence soon after raising London Circuit is complete," the statement said.
"Canberrans will be able to have their say on the final light rail design early next year, when it goes on public display as part of the works approval application."
ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the joint contract with the federal government was a "critical milestone" for the delivery of the light rail extension.
"We need to order new LRVs now, and upgrade our existing fleet and depot, to ensure we have enough vehicles manufactured, delivered, tested and ready to start services to Commonwealth Park when construction of the track is completed," Mr Steel said.
"Moving to retrofit all existing LRVs with onboard energy systems for wire-free running shows our commitment to delivering light rail, not only to Commonwealth Park, but right through the Parliamentary Triangle to Woden.
"The five new vehicles will be built for Canberra's future light rail system and will support the same high frequency services on the next stage that have been embraced by Canberrans on the first stage."
Federal Member for Canberra Alicia Payne said the project would boost local employment.
"The LRV modifications and depot expansion will increase the network's capability to improve connectivity for people needing to travel for work or to access services and events in the southern part of the city," she said.
"This project and associated works are expected to support up to 1,000 jobs over its life, which is a significant amount of local employment."
Light rail a 'city building project' for Canberra: expert
Professor Matthew Burke, who is the Transport Innovation and Research Hub (TIRH) chair at Griffith University's Cities Research Institute, said by being partly wireless, the ACT's hybrid light rail network would be similar to that seen in Newcastle.
He said the vehicles would be charged by the wires used elsewhere on the network, before running through the parliamentary zone, where wires have been banned due to their anticipated impact on the view of Canberra's iconic monuments and national buildings.
"They will then run on battery power that they've charged from those overhead wires earlier, when they are running through that sacrosanct downtown precinct through the Parliamentary Triangle," Professor Burke said.
He said that only minor modifications would be needed to ensure the vehicles could operate along the hybrid network.
Professor Burke also defended the network against criticisms from those who argued a bus system would be more efficient and less costly to Canberrans.
"I think this has always been a city-building project for Canberra," he said.
"Personally, I think it's making the city a better place, and I think we'll unlock further value as it comes down.
"It's allowing the urbanisation of the city. I think that's a pretty good thing, I know there are people who disagree with me."
