Funding for light rail in ACT budget

Planning to enable Canberra residents and visitors to the national capital to use light rail to access popular sights such as the National Gallery of Australia will be funded in Tuesday's ACT budget.

The first stage of the ACT's light rail service from the northern Gungahlin area to the CBD is on track to be completed in December.

However, the budget will include funding for planning, design and enabling works to extend light rail to the southern Woden area, via the suburbs of Parkes and Barton.

ACT Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the preferred route would provide the best access through the parliamentary zone to workplaces, cultural institutions and sports venues such as Manuka Oval.