The government is pushing ahead with wire-free light rail in Canberra's city centre, despite Chief Minister Andrew Barr previously saying he did not think it was necessary while flagging concerns about the cost.

 Transport Minister Chris Steel speaking to the media. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Transport Minister Chris Steel is remaining tight-lipped on how much extra the wire-free running will cost.

On Monday he announced work was on track to start this year on the City to Commonwealth Bridge section of light rail stage two.

As expected, the Commonwealth Bridge to Woden part of the route will need to go through more complex approvals.

The first stage would see 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track running from Alinga Street Station to Commonwealth Park.

Wire-free running was previously presumed necessary for Commonwealth Bridge and the Parliamentary Triangle.

But Mr Barr said in July the government would be "pushing hard" for wire-free running to be limited to essential areas.

"One of the biggest determinants of the cost [of the project] will be the extent of the wire-free operation," he said in July.

"We wouldn't want wire [on Commonwealth Bridge] but there are other parts of the route that I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

"There is [wire] at the movement in Civic so I don't see why that couldn't continue."

The government is pushing ahead with wire-free light rail in Canberra's city centre, despite Chief Minister Andrew Barr previously saying he did not think it was necessary while flagging concerns about the cost.

 Transport Minister Chris Steel speaking to the media. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Transport Minister Chris Steel is remaining tight-lipped on how much extra the wire-free running will cost.

On Monday he announced work was on track to start this year on the City to Commonwealth Bridge section of light rail stage two.

As expected, the Commonwealth Bridge to Woden part of the route will need to go through more complex approvals.

The first stage would see 1.7 kilometres of wire-free track running from Alinga Street Station to Commonwealth Park.

Wire-free running was previously presumed necessary for Commonwealth Bridge and the Parliamentary Triangle.

But Mr Barr said in July the government would be "pushing hard" for wire-free running to be limited to essential areas.

"One of the biggest determinants of the cost [of the project] will be the extent of the wire-free operation," he said in July.

"We wouldn't want wire [on Commonwealth Bridge] but there are other parts of the route that I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

"There is [wire] at the movement in Civic so I don't see why that couldn't continue."