The Federal Government has pledged $50 million for the second stage of the Canberra light rail project, supporting the extension of the system from Commonwealth Park to Woden, totaling a distance of 10 kilometers. However, the actual expense of implementing Stage 2B remains undisclosed as the ACT government navigates contract negotiations, planning procedures, and necessary approvals, with an indicative timeframe set between the years 2028 and 2033.
Transport Minister Chris Steel emphasized the significance of this funding allocation, portraying it as pivotal in advancing the city's transportation infrastructure to accommodate the anticipated growth of Canberra's population, projected to exceed 780,000 residents by 2060. The route for the light rail extension from Adelaide Avenue through Yarra Glen and entering Woden has been largely determined, but community input is sought for designing aspects such as infrastructure, public transport interconnections, and preservation of local heritage along the corridor.
The precise details regarding the route and cost of Stage 2B are unlikely to be uncovered before the upcoming ACT election, pending the release of a draft environmental impact statement at year’s end. Minister Steel highlighted the necessity for additional approvals specific to Stage 2B, delaying the project’s cost estimation until all stakeholders, including federal authorities and the National Capital Authority, approve the final design and project scope. The Federal Government has already committed nearly $344 million for the ongoing construction of Stage 2A, constituting half of the anticipated budget for that stage of the light rail network.