The ACT government has already spent more than $3 million on upgrades to the city to Gungahlin corridor, including on 11 projects preparing the way for construction of the light rail line.
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Design work for the planned Dickson bus interchange on Northbourne Avenue is more than 75 per cent complete, despite compulsory acquisition through a land swap or compensation deal for the site's owners not expected until next year.
The government won't name its preferred consortium to build and operate the tram line until early 2016, but information provided to the Legislative Assembly last month shows Territory and Municipal Services Directorate work is well under way on improvements to the Northbourne Avenue precinct, including "active travel" improvements and on a 3D digital planning survey.
The cost of the projects are all outside the $783 million light rail price tag. They include road, path, drainage works and intersection upgrades and alignment preparation.
Development applications for construction of the first stage city to Gungahlin line were approved by the ACT Environment and Planning Directorate this week.
The government's budget update, release last week, shows $13 million will be spent in 2015-16 on the corridor. In 2016-17, a further $4.5 million will be spent.
Roads and Parking Minister Mick Gentleman said $2.949 million had been spent on the improvement works as of last quarter, of which $2.714 million came last financial year. First outlined in the 2014-15 territory budget, the package of works will cost $20 million and is designed to "improve travel and amenity in the corridor".
Design and construction is under way on Gungahlin Drive, after $228,000 was spent on planning. Design of a new park and ride facility at Well Station Drive is also complete, costing $166,000.
A master plan for utilities including pipes and wires in the Northbourne Avenue corridor and the Civic to Gungahlin 3D digital survey are in their final stages. Design of the active travel improvements, costing $433,000, is more than 85 per cent complete.
Mr Gentleman told the Assembly design of new active traffic monitoring systems was complete and communications installation progress was progressing.
Design of the Northbourne Avenue refurbishment precinct project is 75 per cent complete.
"It is important to note that these expenses form part of broader roads improvement programs for northern Canberra as outlined in the 2015-16 budget," Mr Gentleman said.
Last month Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell said the government would also pay separately for changes to car parking near Northbourne Avenue as a temporary construction compound is created for the tram project.
The government is currently considering two options for the compound. Using the ACT Magistrates Court car park would cost $1 million, and involve a reorganisation of it and the Canberra Theatre car park with better line markings and more efficient use of existing space. New car park spaces would also be added in Theatre Lane, near the Assembly.
A second $6 million option would see construction of a temporary multi-deck structure on about half of the Magistrates Court car park, creating more parking but requiring a six month closure. Both options would see about 40 additional parks created.
The government is working on a possible land swap deal with the owners of the 3000-square-metre Dickson site it plans to use for a new transport interchange linking Cape Street and Northbourne Avenue. A notifiable instrument issued on October 14 commenced the 42 day process of acquiring the land from a Taiwanese family company.
Eden-Monaro MP Peter Hendy has signalled his support for an airport to Queanbeyan light rail line sometime in the future.
Dr Hendy said he would seek discussions with Chief Minister Andrew Barr about the plan, but conceded the idea was "a long way from talking about commitment of money".
The ACT opposition is out of step with the federal Coalition and New South Wales Liberal governments, which both support funding for light rail projects.
