AUSTRALIA: Government funding for a light rail network for Canberra has been set out in the Australian Capital Territory budget for 2013-14. Announced on June 5, the budget includes an initial investment of A$5m for early design work for the Capital Metro project, as well as A$12m over a four-year period.
A Capital Metro Agency will be formed to implement the project. This is in line with an agreement between the Green Party and the Labor Party signed last November when forming the ACT government.
The initial 13 km line between Gungahlin and City is planned to use grassed road median strips, which were reserved for possible tram routes when the city was first planned. Construction could start in 2016.
