Extension · new tracks · completion targets
Canberra Light Rail Stage 2, extension & new tracks
Stage 1 is open. Stage 2 is the extension program south of Civic — either under construction (2A) or in planning (2B). It is not a second passenger line you can ride today.
Photo · CC licensed - Stage 1 Open Gungahlin ↔ Alinga Street
- Stage 2A Building Target services ~2028
- Stage 2B Planning Toward Woden · longer term
Stage 2A — City to Commonwealth Park
City area toward Commonwealth Park (~1.7 km). New stops planned include Edinburgh Avenue (City West), City South and Commonwealth Park. Public services targeted ~2028 — confirm on the official Light Rail to Woden program.
What is being built
- Roughly 1.7 km of double track extending south from the City end of Stage 1.
- Three new stops planned in public material, commonly named:
- Edinburgh Avenue (City West)
- City South
- Commonwealth Park
- Associated City works (including major London Circuit / Commonwealth Avenue interface works) that reshape how vehicles and pedestrians move through Civic.
- Fleet preparation including vehicles capable of wire-free running where required in National Capital Authority areas.
Stage 2A completion date (target)
People search for a firm Stage 2A completion date. Public communications have pointed to passenger services around ~2028 (target — not guaranteed). That is a program target, not a booked opening day and not something this independent guide can guarantee. Opening dates move with construction, testing and commissioning. Only the ACT Light Rail to Woden program and Transport Canberra can confirm “open for passengers”.
Until then: new light rail tracks and City interface works may be visible in Civic without any passenger service beyond Alinga Street.
What visitors need to know right now
- Alinga Street remains the Stage 1 southern terminus for passengers.
- Expect construction traffic management, temporary footpath diversions and noisy works near City construction zones.
- National attractions around the lake and Parliamentary Triangle may become easier by light rail after Stage 2A opens — today, plan buses, walks, bikes or tours from Civic.
- Wire-free capable vehicles may already appear on Stage 1 as the fleet prepares; that is not the same as Stage 2A being open.
Stage 2B — Commonwealth Park toward Woden
Commonwealth Park toward Woden via the National Triangle / Adelaide Avenue corridor. Preferred alignment work continues; longer-term project — not under passenger operation.
- Intended to continue across the lake corridor and toward Woden Town Centre via a preferred alignment that has been refined through planning processes.
- Involves complex interfaces with the National Triangle, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge context and established parkways — hence a longer planning horizon than Stage 2A construction.
- No passenger service date should be treated as firm on this independent guide. Follow the official program for environmental, design and funding milestones.
“Extension” vs Stage 2 naming
Autocomplete and news often say Canberra Light Rail extension. In current public planning language that usually means the Stage 2 program (City toward Woden), delivered as Stage 2A then Stage 2B — not a separate mystery project. Stage 1 already runs; the extension is what you see under construction south of the City terminus.
What about Stage 3?
Searches for Canberra Light Rail Stage 3 appear in Google autocomplete. There is no Stage 3 passenger service you can ride today, and Stage 3 is not the focus of current Stage 2A construction. Longer-term network ideas may appear in planning material over years; do not treat “Stage 3” as an open line or a near-term opening. For anything beyond Stage 2B, use official Transport Canberra network planning.
Why the project is split
Delivering light rail from Civic all the way to Woden in one construction package proved complex. Splitting the program into Stage 2A (City to Commonwealth Park) and Stage 2B (onward to Woden) lets track work and City changes proceed while longer alignments and approvals continue. For riders, the only practical question today is: can I board a tram past Alinga Street? Not yet.
Official sources (bookmark these)
- Light rail to Woden Program home — ACT Government
- Stage 2A City to Commonwealth Park details
- Stage 2B Planning toward Woden
- Network planning Transport Canberra light rail planning
How we will update this page
When Transport Canberra or the Light Rail to Woden program publishes a firm passenger opening, stop name finalisation, or major alignment change, this page should be revised first (before homepage marketing language). Until then we keep Stage 2A labelled under construction and Stage 2B labelled planning.
Related: Stage 1 map & stops · How to ride · History