Road closures and public transport adjustments will be implemented from Thursday, January 8, to accommodate the Summernats event and associated activities. These changes will affect motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, light rail services, and bus routes in specific areas.
Summernats City Cruise
The Summernats City Cruise is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Temporary rolling road closures will be in effect from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM along the following routes:
- Federal Highway (southbound lane) from Antill Street (Watson) to the Barton Highway.
- Northbourne Avenue (both directions) from Flemington Road (Downer) to Bunda Street/Rudd Street (City).
Intersections will close as the cruise progresses, impacting all traffic. Traffic management, signage, and detours will be in place.
Light Rail Service Changes for City Cruise
Light rail services between Alinga Street and Sandford Street stops will not operate from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on January 8. Services will continue between Gungahlin Place and Sandford Street with a varied timetable:
- Last direct northbound service from Alinga Street to Gungahlin Place: 11:40 AM. First direct service resumes: 1:00 PM.
- Last direct southbound service from Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street: 11:40 AM. First direct service resumes: 12:50 PM.
Summernats Fringe Festival
The Summernats Fringe Festival will take place on Lonsdale Street in Braddon from Thursday, January 8, to Saturday, January 10, between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM each night. The following streets will be closed from 3:00 PM until midnight on these three nights:
- Lonsdale Street
- Sections of Mort, Elouera, Girrahween, and Torrens streets
Exhibition Park (EPIC) Closures
Summernats will be held at Exhibition Park from Thursday, January 8, to Sunday, January 11. The EPIC Park and Ride facility is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, January 12, at 7:00 PM. Users are advised to utilize nearby facilities at Well Station Drive and Swinden Street.
Flemington Road will experience closures between the Federal Highway and Randwick Road during the following periods:
- Thursday, January 8: 7:00 AM to 11:59 PM
- Friday, January 9: 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM (Saturday, January 10)
- Saturday, January 10: 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM (Sunday, January 11)
- Sunday, January 11: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Stirling Avenue (Watson) from the Federal Highway to Aspinall Street will be closed daily from 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 8, to 7:00 PM on Sunday, January 11, with local traffic excepted.
Public Transport Service Adjustments
Bus route 18 will be diverted from the first service on Thursday, January 8, to the last service on Sunday, January 11, due to road closures. Bus stops on Sandford Street, Philip Avenue (Federal Highway), and at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre will not be serviced. Temporary bus stops will be installed at the end of Hoskins Street before Sandford Street.
Significant changes to the City bus interchange are in effect from Monday, January 5, until Sunday, February 1, due to light rail stage 2A construction. Platforms 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be closed, and alternative arrangements are in place.
Light rail services will operate with increased frequency during peak event hours on Friday, January 9 (6:30 PM to 11:30 PM), and Saturday, January 10 (8:30 AM to 11:30 PM).
Travel Information
Attendees are encouraged to plan their travel in advance, consider public transport to EPIC and the Fringe Festival, and consult traffic condition platforms such as Waze Navigation, Live Traffic, Google Maps, and Apple Maps. Standard fares apply for all light rail and bus services, with MyWay+ offering various payment options.
Fare-free evenings will be available on all Transport Canberra bus and light rail services from 6:00 PM onwards on Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10.