A rail engineering master plan has been opened for tender in the ACT.
The territory government said Canberra’s light rail project will help link the ACT’s residential areas with employment, entertainment and retail opportunities.
Minister for the environment and sustainable development Simon Corbell said the initiative, which is being managed by the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, would also help to shape Canberra’s sustainable transport future.
“The government is moving ahead with plans for the Gungahlin to the city centre component of the light rail network, but it is important that we also start the planning process for the network to expand beyond Stage 1,” he stated.
“The Light Rail Master Plan will guide government decision-making about the future investment in the extension of Capital Metro, the light rail network.”
The ACT government set aside $1.4 million in the 2012-13 Budget for investigating land use and integrated transport options for the light rail in order to assess its feasibility.
Mr Corbell said the light rail is such a long-term project that it is important to ensure the government is not only getting value for money, but maximising opportunities for social, economic and environmental development.
“Capital Metro is not just a transport project, it will help shape Canberra’s population growth by providing sustainable and attractive travel options,” he added.
The minister said the scheme builds on ACT government work already being carried out to boost light rail and public transport networks in the territory.
These include government policies such as Transport for Canberra, the draft City Plan and the ACT Planning Strategy.
A tender process opened on February 7 and will run until March 4 2014, with a successful bidder chosen and appointed by the end of March.
Details of the tender can be obtained from the government’s procurement website.
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