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Friday's release of the final business case for the light rail line to Gungahlin reveals what could become the biggest change in decades to Canberra's most travelled gateway and the city's public transport options.
The document gives new detail about how Northbourne Avenue, the Federal Highway and Flemington Road will look after tram lines are built and what the passengers can expect when services begin in 2019.
The 12km line is proposed to run on a standard gauge, double track not elevated from the ground. Just how the finishing will appear will be determined in the final contract, but the business case outlines plans for concrete, pavers, bitumen and ballast. Grass on the tracks is not proposed by Capital Metro but could be considered.
Canberra's tram won't include "bespoke" features. Planners will seek to use standard designs to keep down cost and some elements will require sign off from the ACT Government.
The successful consortium will buy 14 trams, each about 33 metres long and with capacity for about 200 people. The trams will have level boarding at doors, priority seats for mobility impaired passengers and designated areas for wheelchairs and prams.
Only 12 of the trams will be in service at any one time, with contingency for one to receive maintenance and another for unscheduled repairs. Specifications include capability for conversion with energy storage and ability to run on some wire-free tracks.
The business case doesn't require overhead wires or a wireless system, but wires are likely to be installed to keep down cost and technological risk. "Potentially discrete" poles are expected, along with seven power substations at Kate Crace Street, Collaroy Street, Vicars Street, the Barton Highway, Macarthur House and Mort Street.
Motorists will see changes to traffic signals, with trams expected to be given priority. Modelling is under way to minimise tram waiting times and the impact on other road users.
About 350 trees are expected to be cut down during construction and the business plan says it's "conceivable all existing median trees will require removal". Trees more suited to Canberra's environment will be planted.
ACTION buses in the corridor will be reduced to limit duplication of transport. Major bus and tram interchanges will be considered for the city, Gungahlin, Mitchell and Dixon.
The "target journey time" is approximately 25 minutes in peak hour from Gungahlin to the city. Trams will run at a frequency of at least 10 minutes on weekdays. Saturday frequency will be every 15 minutes, with 20-minute intervals on Sundays.
Monday to Saturday, departures from Gungahlin are expected to start by 6am and end by 11.15pm. Sunday services will run from about 8am and conclude by 11pm.
From the city, trams will run by 6.15am Monday to Saturday and by 8.30am on Sundays. The last tram is expected to leave the city before 11.30pm on Sundays through to Thursdays. On Friday and Saturday nights, the last departure is likely after 1am.
Planning Institute of Australia ACT president Viv Straw welcomed the business case and said he believed the project would reduce car dependency.
"I think the argument of putting the first light rail option from Gungahlin to the city has some merit to it, in that other town centres like Tuggeranong and Woden have relatively large proportions of the population who work within those centres, whereas with Gungahlin being a new area there hasn't been that development of local work.
"The return on the dollar is relatively small on the face of it and I think the critics will argue it's not enough of a margin. We think it places the line in a good position," he said.
Where will Canberra's light rail stops be?
Terminus sites are proposed for Hibberson St, east of Gungahlin Place and in Northbourne Ave north of Alinga St.
A light rail stabling area is proposed for Mitchell, next to the Territory and Municipal Services building in Sandford Street. The site will also be the corporate headquarters for the line and include facilities for maintenance and spare parts.
About 11 stops are planned but no final decision has been made on their locations. They could include:
- Flemington Rd and Manning Clark Crescent
- Flemington Rd and Mapleton Ave
- Flemington Rd and Nullarbor Ave
- Flemington Rd and Well Station Drive
- A special events stop for EPIC at Flemington Rd and Randwick Rd
- Federal Highway and Phillip Ave
- One stop to serve Downer at Swinden Street, opposite Yowani Country Club
- A Dickson Interchange
- Northbourne Ave at Wakefield Ave and Macarthur Ave
- Northbourne Ave at Condamine St and Ipima St
- Northbourne Ave at Gould St and Elouera St