Road closures and public transport changes for Summernats

Released 06/01/2026

The Summernats car festival will be held from Thursday 8 January 2026 until Sunday 11 January 2026 at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).

A number of road closures and changed traffic arrangements will be in place for the event which includes a City Cruise along Northbourne Avenue on the afternoon of Thursday 8 January 2026.

City Cruise impacts

• The Summernats City Cruise will be held onThursday 8 January 2026 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
• On occasions from 11:00 am until 1:30 pm, temporary rolling closures will be in place at:
  • Watson - Federal Highway - southbound: from Antill Street to the Barton Highway.
  • Downer, Dickson, Braddon and City - Northbourne Avenue - both directions: from Flemington Road to Bunda Street / Rudd Street.
• The rolling closures will close intersections as the cruise passes and this will apply to all traffic including motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
• Traffic management including signage and detours will be in place.
• Delays are expected and road users should seek an alternate route where possible.
• Light rail services will not be operating between Alinga Street and Sandford Street stops from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Thursday 8 January 2026.
• Light rail services will continue to operate between Gungahlin Place and Sandford Street only during these times:
  • The last direct northbound service travelling from Alinga Street to Gungahlin Place will depart at 11:40 am. The first direct service will resume at 1:00 pm.
  • The last direct southbound service travelling from Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street will depart at 11:40 am. The first direct service will resume at 12:50 pm.

Summernats Fringe Festival impacts

• The Summernats Fringe Festival will be held on the nights of Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 January 2026 from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
• Lonsdale Street and sections of surrounding Mort Street, Elouera Street, Girrahween Street and Torrens Street will be closed from 3:00 pm to midnight on all three nights to support the Summernats Fringe Festival.

Other closures

• The EPIC Park and Ride will be closed from 7:00 am on Tuesday 6 January 2026 until 7:00 pm on Monday 12 January 2026.
• Users of the EPIC Park and Ride are asked to use nearby facilities at Well Station Drive and Swinden Street.
• Flemington Road will be closed between the Federal Highway and Randwick Road from:
  • 7:00 am to 11:59 pm on Thursday 8 January 2026
  • 7:00 am on Friday 9 January to 1:00 am on Saturday 10 January 2026
  • 7:00 am on Saturday 10 January to 1:00 am on Sunday 11 January 2026
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sunday 11 January 2026.
• Watson - Stirling Avenue closed (daily): from the Federal Highway to Aspinall Street. The road will be closed from 7:00 pm, Thursday 8 January 2026 to 7:00 pm, Sunday 11 January 2026 (local traffic excepted).
• More information on road closures can be found on the City Services website at www.cityservices.act.gov.au

Changes to bus services

• Due to road closures in place, bus route 18 will be diverted from the first service on Thursday 8 January 2026 to the last service on Sunday 11 January 2026.
• Bus stops on Sandford Street, Philip Avenue on the Federal Highway and at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre will not be serviced during the event. Temporary bus stops will be installed at the end of Hoskins Street before Sandford Street.
• There are significant changes to the City bus interchange from Monday 5 January until Sunday 1 February 2026 due to construction associated with Light Rail Stage 2A. City bus interchange platforms 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be closed with alternative arrangements in place.

Changes to light rail services

• There will be increased frequency to light rail services during the peak event hours on Friday 9 January 2026 and Saturday 10 January 2026.
  • Friday 9 January 2026, from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
  • Saturday 10 January 2026, from 8:30 am to 11:30 pm.

Journey planning

• Major construction on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project, which is essential work being delivered by the National Capital Authority (NCA) on behalf of the Australian Government, is now underway.
• This construction will have significant impacts to all road users across the bridge in both directions. Attendees to Summernats are encouraged to plan ahead before they travel.
• If possible, travel outside peak times, allow extra time for your trip or find other ways to travel such as using public transport to get to Summernats at EPIC and the Summernats Fringe Festival on Lonsdale Street.
• Passengers can plan ahead using many great platforms to check traffic conditions before getting on the road, such as Waze Navigation and Live Traffic, Google Maps and Apple Maps.

• Regular fares apply for all light rail and bus services. MyWay+ offers a range of simple payment options for bus and light rail. You can tap or scan your preferred option on bus and light rail services.
• Passengers can also enjoy fare free evenings on all Transport Canberra bus and light rail services on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 January 2026 from 6 pm onwards. Simply tap on and off as normal to register a $0 fare during the free travel period.

For information on road closures visit cityservices.act.gov.au.

For information on transport options visit transport.act.gov.au.

For more information on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal project visit NCA.gov.au.

- Statement ends -

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