Large parts of Civic closed to traffic as filming begins for Hollywood car chase scene

Hollywood films a car chase in Canberra's CBD for Liam Neeson movie Blacklight. Picture: Karleen Minney

Large parts of Civic have been closed off to traffic as Hollywood comes to Canberra.

Filming has begun on the new Liam Neeson movie Blacklight, with a "crucial" car chase being shot on Canberra streets.

#hollywood comes to #canberrapic.twitter.com/1S6D2N82ZJ

— Adam Spence (@AdamSpenceAU) January 14, 2021

Civic road closures due to filming car chases. pic.twitter.com/4VN8E9tiAa

— Real Canberra (@realcanberra) January 13, 2021

I got my forklift certification for this? pic.twitter.com/NO0AfSoxVc

— Real Canberra (@realcanberra) January 14, 2021

Between Thursday and Sunday, traffic and pedestrians will be blocked from several locations around Civic, which includes:

• London Circuit from Constitution Avenue to Ainslie Avenie
• Akuna Street from London Circuit to Cooyong Street
• Bunda Street from Petrie Street to Binara Street
• Binara Street from Akuna Street to Allara Street
• Allara Street from Binara Street to Constitution Avenue
• Nangari Street from Allara Street to London Circuit
• Rabaul Lane from Nangari Street to Akuna Street

Local residents and businesses will still have access during the filming period.

Public transport along those roads have also been redirected, with bus stops on London Circuit closed.

The roads would also be expected to be closed on Monday and Tuesday, should wet weather disrupt filming.

...and the car pic.twitter.com/EU82suHJdY

— Real Canberra (@realcanberra) January 13, 2021

The cars being used as part of the chase have been spotted on the streets of Civic on Thursday morning in preparation for the filming.

While the movie is a Liam Neeson film, the Hollywood star is not in Canberra, with stunt drivers instead being part of the action.

Canberra itself won't feature in the film, with visual effects transforming the streets into downtown Washington DC.

Lights, camera, action! Changes to public transport and access in the city centre will be in place while scenes from a movie are being filmed. Filming will take place from 14 to 22 January.

You can find a full list of closures and a detailed map at https://t.co/6jChSJvay7pic.twitter.com/h96zWshczp

— ACT Government (@actgovernment) January 13, 2021

The eastern car park of the Canberra Olympic Pool has also been closed off until January 22, which is currently housing the production compound.

Further road closures will also be in place at night from January 18 to 22 between 8pm and 6am at Parkes Way between Coranderrk Street and Clunies Ross Street.

Between January 19 and 22, nightly closures will be in place at Edinburgh Avenue from Phillip Law Street to Lawson Crescent as well as London Circuit in both directions and the Parkes Way exit ramp.

Filming has begun in Civic for a new Liam Neeson movie. Picture: Peter Brewer