Get ready for some serious traffic disruptions and public transport adjustments as Summernats revs up in Canberra! This iconic event, along with its City Cruise and Fringe Festival, is about to cause some major changes across the city.
The Rubber Meets the Road: Summernats Traffic Chaos
From Thursday, January 8th, Summernats will be in full swing, and so will the road closures and transport modifications. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
Summernats City Cruise: Kicking off on Thursday from noon to 1 pm, this cruise will cause temporary rolling closures along the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue. Be prepared for intersections to close as the cruise passes, affecting all road users.
Light Rail Adjustments: The City Cruise will impact light rail services, with no operations between Alinga Street and Sandford Street from noon to 1 pm. However, services will continue between Gungahlin Place and Sandford Street, but with a varied timetable. The last direct northbound service from Alinga Street to Gungahlin Place will depart at 11:40 am, and the first direct service will resume at 1 pm. Similarly, the last southbound service from Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street will depart at 11:40 am, with the first direct service resuming at 12:50 pm.
Summernats Fringe Festival: This festival will take over Lonsdale Street in Braddon from Thursday to Saturday nights (January 8th to 10th) from 5 to 11 pm. Expect closures on Lonsdale Street and sections of Mort, Elouera, Girrahween, and Torrens streets from 3 pm until midnight on all three nights.
Summernats Main Event: Running from Thursday, January 8th, to Sunday, January 11th, at Exhibition Park, Summernats will cause the EPIC Park and Ride to close until Monday, January 12th, at 7 pm. Alternative parking options are available at Well Station Drive and Swinden Street.
Road Closures: Flemington Road will be closed between the Federal Highway and Randwick Road on specific days and times, including Thursday, January 8th, from 7 am to 11:59 pm, and on Friday and Saturday nights until 1 am. Stirling Avenue in Watson will also be closed daily from the Federal Highway to Aspinall Street from 7 pm on Thursday to 7 pm on Sunday (local traffic permitted).
Public Transport Changes: Bus route 18 will be diverted due to road closures from Thursday, January 8th, to Sunday, January 11th. Bus stops on Sandford Street, Philip Avenue, and at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre will not be serviced during the event. Temporary bus stops will be set up at the end of Hoskins Street before Sandford Street.
Light Rail and Bus Services: There will be significant changes to the City bus interchange from January 5th to February 1st due to light rail stage 2A construction. Platforms 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be closed, with alternative arrangements in place. Light rail services will run more frequently during peak event hours on Friday and Saturday.
Planning Your Journey: The ACT Government encourages Summernats attendees to plan ahead. Consider traveling outside peak times, allow extra time for your journey, or opt for public transport to get to Summernats at EPIC and the Fringe Festival on Lonsdale Street. Use platforms like Waze Navigation, Live Traffic, Google Maps, and Apple Maps to check traffic conditions before hitting the road.
Fare Information: Regular fares apply for all light rail and bus services. MyWay+ offers convenient payment options for bus and light rail. You can tap or scan your preferred payment method on board.
Fare-Free Evenings: Enjoy fare-free evenings on all Transport Canberra bus and light rail services from 6 pm onwards on Friday, January 9th, and Saturday, January 10th.
For more detailed information on road closures and transport options, visit City Services ACT and Transport ACT.
And there you have it! Summernats is almost here, and with it, a whole lot of traffic and transport adjustments. Stay informed, plan ahead, and enjoy the event!
