Everything you need to know about road closures for Summernats 2023
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The ACT Government has released the dates, times and locations of the Summernats City Cruise and Fringe Festival 2023, so here’s what you need to know.
The Summernats 35 car festival will be held from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 January 2023 at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) and there will be a number of road closures and changed traffic arrangements put into place for the event, including across Braddon, the broader city centre and Northbourne Avenue.
Here’s how to make sure you avoid road closures and stay ahead of public transport changes.
City Cruise
When: Thursday 5 January 2023 from 12 pm to 1 pm
Where: Sections of the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue will be subject to rolling closures from 12 pm to 1 pm on Thursday 5 January 2023. The rolling closures will be in place from Flemington Road to the intersection of London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue.
Effects on traffic and public transport
- The rolling closures will close intersections along sections of the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue as the cruise passes.
- Traffic management will be in place around the rolling closures.
- The rolling closures will apply to all traffic including motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
- Delays are expected.
- Road users should seek an alternate route where possible.
- Light rail services will not be operating between Alinga Street and Sandford Street stops from 12 pm to 1 pm. Partial services will continue to operate between Gungahlin Place and Sandford Street only during this time.
- The last full northbound service travelling from Alinga Street to Gungahlin Place will depart at 11:40 am. The first full service will resume at 1 pm.
- The last full southbound service travelling from Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street will depart at 11:40 am. The first full service will resume at 12:50 pm.
Summernats Fringe Festival
When: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January 2023, 4 pm to 11 pm daily.
Where: The below closures will be in place from 4 pm to 11 pm daily on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January 2023.
- Lonsdale Street, Braddon will be closed between Cooyong Street and Girrahween Street.
- Mort Street, Braddon will be closed between Cooyong Street and Girrahween Street.
- Elouera Street, Braddon will be closed between Northbourne Avenue and Torrens Street.
Effects on traffic
- Lonsdale Street, Mort Street and part of Elouera Street will be closed to general traffic, but will remain open for pedestrians and local residents.
- Traffic management will be in place around the closures.
- Delays are expected in the area and motorists are advised to seek an alternate route where possible.
Other road closures
Flemington Road will be closed between the Federal Highway and Randwick Road at the following times:
- 7 am to midnight on Thursday 5 January 2023
- 7 am Friday 6 January to 1 am Saturday 7 January 2023
- 7 am Saturday 7 January to 1 am Sunday 8 January 2023
- 7 am to 7 pm Sunday 8 January 2023.
Stirling Avenue will be closed between Knox Street and the Federal Highway from 10 am Thursday 5 January to 7 pm Sunday 8 January 2023.
Effects on traffic
- These closures will apply to all regular traffic.
- Traffic management will be in place around the closures.
- Delays are expected.
- Road users should seek an alternate route where possible.
- Signage and detours will be in place.
Effects on public transport
- The EPIC Park and Ride facility will be closed during the Summernats 35 car festival – from 7 am Thursday 5 January until 7 pm Sunday 8 January 2023.
- People who wish to use the EPIC Park and Ride facility are asked to use the nearby Park and Ride facilities at Well Station Drive or Swinden Street.
Changes to bus services
- Summernats attendees can travel to and from the event on regular Transport Canberra bus services. Regular fares apply.
- Due to road closures in place, bus route 18 will be diverted from the first service (approximately 6 am) on Thursday 5 January 2023 to the last service (approximately 8 pm) on Sunday 8 January 2023. No bus stops will be missed.
- Changes to light rail services
- Changes to light rail services during the City Cruise are detailed above.
During Summernats, there will be increased frequency to light rail services during the peak event hours on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January 2023 at the following times:
- Friday 6 January 2023 from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
- Saturday 7 January 2023 from 8:30 am to 12 pm (noon) and from 8 pm to 11:30 pm.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead using the TC Journey Planner.
For patrons who do not have a MyWay card, tickets for bus and light rail travel can be purchased from ticket vending machines at all light rail stops, major bus interchanges and the Canberra Airport.
For information on road closures visit cityservices.act.gov.au.
For information on transport options visit transport.act.gov.au.
Feature image courtesy of Summernats
