Planned bike detours for Canberra City, winter 2026
Mike Watson
Work is ramping up across several major construction sites in and around the City, and more is still to come. Pedal Power has worked with key project teams to map out how these projects will affect bike access over the coming months.
This is the most up-to-date information available, but conditions may change due to delays, early completions or shifting construction timelines.
What’s working and will still work.
The shared path on the east side of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, along with the approach ramps at both ends, continues to function well. Even during peak times, riders and pedestrians are sharing the space effectively.
These routes are expected to remain open, with fewer disruptions on the eastern side. Continuing north past the ramp, toward the Allara Street footbridge remains one of the most reliable options for accessing the city centre and eastern side.
Southern access via the Commonwealth Avenue ramps and the Flynn Drive path will also remain open, maintaining good connections east, west and south.
What will change?
There are three new and growing projects on the north west side of the bridge over winter! They are all squeezed into relatively tight spaces, they have done a good job keeping routes open for bikes. Let’s look at the three major projects in this area.
Light Rail Stage 2a
Construction of the light rail corridor is continuing, including track installation and stop development along the corner from London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue.
Disruptions will shift as work progresses, particularly around intersections where construction overlaps with existing traffic routes. While access is being maintained, riders should expect changing conditions and minor detours in this area.
The Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
Significant strengthening and maintenance works are underway on and around the bridge, including piling at all four corners.
Barrine Drive on the north side of the bridge has been reduced to one-way westbound traffic and will remain this way until late 2027. Riders should avoid travelling eastbound on the road.
The waterside path on the north side of the lake is now the primary two-way route and the most reliable option for accessing the west side of the city when using the eastern bridge ramp.
At the southern end, the waterside path under the bridge is closed due to piling works. A short detour via Flynn Drive provides an alternative connection.
The Acton Waterfront Park
This project is new and not well understood yet: let me explain.
Works are underway to construct a new park north of Henry Rolland Park, including paths, drainage and public amenities. The soil was put in place a couple of years ago, and it’s now settled. Grass was planted about a year ago to help stabilise the soil, but now it’s time to make the park permanent: add paths, drainage, a kiosk, probably loos, and access. The area where the park is being built and finished is shaded blue in the diagram. It is quite big and while it does not obstruct easy access to the fast bike route (shaded ark blue) on the east side of the park, it does create detours at both ends for bike riders using the water’s edge path to go between the footbridge over Parkes Way to Marcus Clarke St (called Jacob’s Bridge) to get to the controlled pedestrian crossing over Commonwealth Avenue.
During May, things will get complicated. Barrine Drive between Albert Street and Corkhill St will be realigned eastward, probably taking a couple of months. This means the ‘fast bike route’ will cease to exist. We recommend that you use the waters’ edge path on the north side of the lake (shaded pink) instead to get past the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, as the original route (shaded dark blue) will normally create delays.
If you are approaching from the City to the north along Marcus Clarke St, and over Jacob’s bridge., we recommend you turn right at the end of the bridge and follow the yellow shaded line on the diagram until you have passed the fenced-off area on your left, when you can turn left and follow the waters’ edge path (shaded pink), which will take you to the ramp up to the east side of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
We have been promised this detour will be well signposted!
While Barrine Drive is being realigned, there will be a lot of construction work on the corner of Albert St and I expect it will be better to avoid the controlled crossing over Commonwealth Avenue at Albert Street. Instead, use the waters’ edge path to ride under the Commonwealth Avenue bridge.
Other new works
Yes, there are other works going on! However, I’m not mentioning them in detail where they don't pose much of an obstruction to bike riders. They include
The new hotel at the south end of Genge Street
I have found that I can get around them with little delay.
