Canberra government says yes to light rail line

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Canberra’s ACT Government has given the go-ahead for its proposed $783 million light rail network, Capital Metro.

Minister Simon Corbell announced at an industry briefing on September 15 that the government had approved the project’s business case and would begin accepting formal expressions of interest for the first phase of the scheme from October 31.

The Capital Metro light rail line to the city’s northern suburb Gungahlin is expected to cost around $783 million, including a $173 million contingency, and will be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP).

In a statement, Corbell said: “It is not an option to do nothing.

“The population of our northern suburbs is growing at five times the rate of the rest of Canberra. We need reliable, frequent and safe public transport.

“If we do nothing the estimated journey time from City to Gungahlin in 2031 will be more than 50 minutes in a car. Light rail will offer commuters a viable, attractive public transport option with a consistent journey time of about 25 minutes.”

Capital Metro is a planned low-floor tram system between the centre of Canberra and Gunghalin. The ACT Government has previously said it hopes to start construction in 2016 and complete the line within two to three years.

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