With more than 120,000 people expected to head to Lake Burley Griffin this weekend for the Skyfire spectacular, roads are expected to be congested with long wait times.
Instead, switch out your car for public transport, with Transport Canberra offering free bus and rail travel for attendees.
“Almost a third of Canberrans will be at Skyfire so I really encourage everyone to make the most of free travel from 5:00 pm onwards across Transport Canberra’s bus and light rail network,” Transport Canberra executive group manager Judith Sturman says.
“This will also include additional shuttle buses to support the bus network and service the Commonwealth Avenue bus stops at Regatta Point at the end of the event. Passengers simply tap on and off as usual to register their free travel for Skyfire night and help us collect patronage data.”
Attendees are expected to set up right around Lake Burley Griffin from the afternoon with live performances, food trucks and activities finishing with a 20-minute firework display at 8.30 pm.
Free travel on all Transport Canberra bus and light rail services will be available from 5:00 pm until last service, with additional shuttle buses supportting the bus network from 5:00 pm (with the last bus leaving City Interchange to Regatta Point in time for the fireworks display at 8.10 pm).
There will be additional light rail services and increased frequency from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
“Please be aware there are several road closures to facilitate the event and parking around the lake is limited due to construction activities associated with light rail stage 2A,” Sturman says.
From 8:00 am until 10:00 pm, Parkes Way (Westbound) between Kings Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue and Wendouree Drive between Constitution Avenue and Kings Avenue will be closed.
Parkes Way (Eastbound) between Coranderrk Street and Kings Avenue will also be closed between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
From 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm, Queen Elizabeth Terrace between Parkes Place West and Parkes Place East, Parkes Place West between Questacon car park and Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes Place East between Queen Elizabeth Terrace and King Edward Terrace and King Edward Terrace between Parkes Place West and Parkes Place East will be closed.
Albert Street (both east and west) will be closed from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm and from 8:25 pm until 9:00 pm, Kings Avenue (Northbound) between King Edward Terrace and Parkes Place and Kings Avenue (Southbound) between Morshead Drive and Blackall Street will be blocked off.
Commonwealth Avenue (Northbound) between Kaye Street and Vernon Circle and Commonwealth Avenue (Southbound) between Vernon Circle and Queen Victoria Terrace will be closed from from 8:25 pm until 11:00 pm.
Due to the road closures, there will be some changes to bus services:
- The Rapid 2 will be diverted from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm due to road closures.
- The Rapid 6 will be diverted from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm due to road closures.
- Local service 57 will be diverted from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm due to road closures.
- Local service 58 will be diverted from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm due to road closures.
- Multiple bus stops will be closed within the Parliamentary Triangle.
“To avoid the stress, make sure you plan your journey and consider using one of the 22 Park and Ride facilities across the ACT which connect onto a Rapid bus or light rail service. If you live near the lake, you can simply get active and walk, ride or scoot to embrace the festivities,” Sturman says.
