London Circuit

London Circuit

Australian Capital Territory
Looking northeast on London Circuit
General information
TypeRoad
LocationCanberra
Length1.86 km (1.2 mi)
Opened1930s
Former
route number
  • ACT Tourist Drive 1
  • (Constitution Avenue–Northbourne Avenue) [Anti-clockwise]
  • ACT Tourist Drive 7
  • (Edinburgh Avenue–Commonwealth Avenue) [Clockwise]
Ring road aroundCity Hill
 
Location(s)
Major suburbsCivic (CBD)
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London Circuit is a road in Canberra, Australia, which surrounds City Hill in Civic, the city centre.[1] It has a hexagonal shape, and intersects with several main roads such as Northbourne Avenue (35°16′48″S 149°07′44″E / 35.28°S 149.129°E / -35.28; 149.129 (London Circuit at Northbourne Avenue)), Edinburgh Avenue (35°16′59″S 149°07′34″E / 35.283°S 149.126°E / -35.283; 149.126 (London Circuit at Edinburgh Avenue)), Akuna Street (35°16′55″S 149°07′55″E / 35.282°S 149.132°E / -35.282; 149.132 (London Circuit at Akuna Street)), Constitution Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue (35°17′02″S 149°07′41″E / 35.284°S 149.128°E / -35.284; 149.128 (London Circuit at Commonwealth Avenue)).

Several important buildings are located on London Circuit. These include the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Court,[2][3] the ACT Magistrates Court, the historic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings, the Canberra Theatre and the QT Canberra.

As part of construction of stage 2A of the Canberra light rail, work will commence in 2022 to raise part of London Circuit by 6 m (20 ft) and provide a signalised, level intersection with Commonwealth Avenue. The ACT Government claim this will create a more "people oriented" space, improving access for pedestrians and cyclists as well as public transport infrastructure,[4] however warned of traffic disruption over a four year period during construction. This intersection is currently grade-separated and makes use of a cloverleaf style ramps, requiring the demolition of the current overpass, to be replaced by new roadway built on top of 60,000 m3 of fill material. Tracks will be laid along the western portion of London Circuit between this new junction and Northbourne Avenue, with a station to be built on this section to serve City West and the Australian National University. A portion of the eastern section of London Circuit between Commonwealth and Constitution Avenues will also be upgraded as part of this project.[5] These works are expected to be completed in 2024.[6][7]

London Circuit looking west towards Black Mountain with the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings on the right, office buildings in the distance, and Telstra Tower visible on Black Mountain
  1. ^ "Naming The Streets And Public Places: Civic Centre Passes" (scan). The Canberra Times. 16 December 1927. p. 2. Retrieved 18 January 2022 – via Trove. On the northern side of the City Commonwealth Avenue terminates at City Square and London Circuit is the name which has been applied to the hexagonal shaped roadway which surrounds City Hill.
  2. ^ "Roving Canberra Around Canberra: A Case Of Destruction and Construction" (scan). The Canberra Times. 18 January 1963. pp. 16, 17. Retrieved 18 January 2022 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "Prime Minister Lauds Expansion Of Capital" (scan). The Canberra Times. 9 May 1963. p. 1. Retrieved 18 January 2022 – via Trove.
  4. ^ "Revealed: Bridges go to raise London Circuit". Canberra CityNews. 30 October 2021.
  5. ^ Ian Bushnell (3 November 2021). "Raising London Circuit works approvals lodged with National Capital Authority". RiotACT.
  6. ^ "Canberra Light Rail Stage two". Railway Technology. 12 March 2021.
  7. ^ Jordan Hayne (3 February 2021). "Extension of Canberra's light rail, overhauling London Circuit, gets federal environmental approval". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.