A federal government agency has included Canberra’s light rail project on its infrastructure priority list due to increasing congestion costs, limited public transport options and projected population growth.
The project was not included on previous „Infrastructure Australia” lists due to concerns there was not enough traffic congestion to warrant federal funding for light rail or rapid buses.
The list of priority projects, released on February 17th with the agency’s first 15-year infrastructure plan, was based on the findings of a national audit and consultation with state and territory governments.
While the agency refrained from endorsing the ACT government’s USD 698 million investment in light rail, it found the problems associated with Canberra’s main arterial road were of national significance and demanded attention. „The audit shows the cost of delay on greater Canberra’s urban transport network was USD 200 million in 2011 and is projected to increase to USD 700 million in 2031.”
The report found Canberra’s population was expected to grow by 41 per cent or about 150,000 by 2031, placing additional demand on public transport and roads.
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