Construction fences have been pulled back along parts of Canberra's historic buildings as light rail works continue ahead of schedule and vehicles are fitted with battery systems.
Canberra's light rail vehicles will be able to travel between Alinga Street and Commonwealth Park on battery power when operations on the network extension begin in early 2028, with ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel saying the track construction was still ahead of schedule.
"We're actually quite confident that it will be delivered on time," he said.
Verges along the Sydney Building on London Circuit reopened on Tuesday, June 30, with at least one venue considering opening outdoor dining on the expanded footpath.
The light rail network's existing 14 vehicles have also been retrofitted with energy storage systems, which include batteries, control electronics and thermal management systems, while five new vehicles have arrived to service the extension to Commonwealth Park and further expansions across the lake.
Infrastructure Canberra executive group manager Andrew Haraldson said the Theatre Lane carpark was set to reopen with about 50 spots in December, with London Circuit east partially open by the end of 2026.
Construction on London Circuit west is set to finish in early 2027, when light rail vehicle commissioning on the new tracks will begin. Commissioning is expected to take between six to nine months.
"The majority of construction is this year, early next year is the finishing-off pieces," Mr Haraldson said.
"If you're visiting the city... April, May next year it's going to look a lot different. A lot of areas will be finished, a lot of the landscaping will be done."
With high-capacity storage of up to 140 kWh, light rail vehicles will be able to travel between 40 to 50 kilometres on the new energy storage systems. Once connected to the wired part of the network, the vehicles' batteries can charge in 10 minutes.
It is the first time light rail vehicles have been retrofitted with the energy technology in Australia.
Canberra Metro Operations project director Andrew Pearce said the batteries would last up to 10 years or longer, depending how they were used.
Asked if the light rail vehicles could operate on batteries in the event of a network outage or frozen overhead wires, Mr Pearce said there was some "operational flexibility".
"That's something that we would need to evaluate at the time of any event that might occur," he said.
Almost 400 employees worked around the clock over summer to complete substantial works along Northbourne Avenue, including at the Alinga Street intersection and light rail stop.
Buses are set to replace light rail services the weekend of July 4 for track work.
