The government is pushing ahead with wire-free light rail in Canberra's city centre, despite Chief Minister Andrew Barr previously saying he did not think it was necessary while flagging concerns about the cost.
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Transport Minister Chris Steel is remaining tight-lipped on how much extra the wire-free running will cost.
As expected, the Commonwealth Bridge to Woden part of the route will need to go through more complex approvals.
The first stage would see 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track running from Alinga Street Station to Commonwealth Park.
Wire-free running was previously presumed necessary for Commonwealth Bridge and the Parliamentary Triangle.
But Mr Barr said in July the government would be "pushing hard" for wire-free running to be limited to essential areas.
"One of the biggest determinants of the cost [of the project] will be the extent of the wire-free operation," he said in July.
"We wouldn't want wire [on Commonwealth Bridge] but there are other parts of the route that I don't see any reason why you couldn't.
"There is [wire] at the movement in Civic so I don't see why that couldn't continue."
Mr Steel on Monday would not say how much extra the additional wire-free section would cost but said it would not be prohibitive.
"There will be some additional costs as a result of wire-free running but there are also benefits and that's why we'll be progressing it," he said.
"It will retain the view from Parliament down Commonwealth Avenue which will be unencumbered with no wires or poles along that part of the route.
"It will also enable us ... to have narrower tracks, which provides extra room for vehicles to continue to run on London Circuit around the light rail project."
"The benefits on London Circuit , the only on-street light rail running in the network, are significant in enabling better use of the road space adjacent to the light rail tracks. No poles for overhead wires means it can be far narrower than the tracks on Northbourne Avenue."
Mr Steel said the federal government and NCA requests to operate without overhead wires were concerned primarily with Commonwealth Avenue and the Parliamentary Zone, not London Circuit.
To support wire-free operation, light rail vehicles will be fitted with onboard batteries with regenerative braking capabilities.
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
