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Canberra's Captain Cook Memorial Jet is a step closer to pumping water again with a string of upgrade works beginning next week. Barrine Drive and Regatta Point will be closed at the National Capital Exhibition car park and loading zone on Wednesday and Thursday to allow for the jet's latest upgrade. A National Capital Authority spokeswoman said the project team overseeing the restoration work hoped to see the jet in action early next year. It's the iconic water fountain's biggest upgrade in two decades and once complete, the jet will operate at its full height of 147 metres for the first time in several years. The spokeswoman said contractors had already set up a site office and installed temporary fencing around the pumping station ahead of the first set of works. "Activities in and around the jet site will include a number of crane operations to remove and replace equipment, delivery of equipment, works by boat at the nozzle housing in the lake and trenching and boring works between the jet and the lake wall," she said. "The NCA is committed to bringing the jet back online as soon as possible for the Canberra community and tourists alike. "The works are quite extensive and the rolling program involves four key disciplines including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and fire. "Many of the components of the pump for the jet are sourced from interstate and overseas adding a additional level of complexity to the project." The fountain has been marred by problems throughout the year and out of action since June due to a secondary fault. The fault was the result of an unexpected failure of the pumping system. In September the authority announced it would fast-forward a string of scheduled maintenance works to coincide with the upgrade. Road closures near the National Capital Exhibition will affect traffic between 7am Wednesday, December 9 and 5pm Thursday, December 10.

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