Upgrades to improve a key road for the Northern Territory’s growing energy sector are now underway
The Northern Territory and federal governments have teamed up to upgrade the Carpentaria Highway. An investment of $150 million has been put into the project to upgrade the road through a program of works.
“We know how important roads are in the territory, which is why we are investing $150 million into the Carpentaria Highway as a key access route to Borroloola and surrounding regions,” NT infrastructure minister Joel Bowden says.
“Investing in roads is essential to improve year round connectivity, create jobs and boost economic development – key points our government is focusing on delivering.”
The NT government says that the highway is a key access road for people travelling to Borroloola and for a number of their industries, including its growing energy sector.
With these upgrades going from a single lane to dual lane bitumen, the NT government says it will support existing road users, industry and communities by providing more reliable transport and freight links.
“The Northern Territory is entering an era of thriving development and innovation as we power towards a $40 billion economy by 2030,” NT development minister Eva Lawler says.
“The upgrades to the Carpentaria Highway will complement multiple strategic projects currently underway that aim to bring the Territory’s vision of becoming a world-class energy production, manufacturing and services hub to reality.”
Stage one has now been completed, with 48 kilometres of the highway now upgraded and sealed.
These works include 24 culverts and two truck stops that the NT government says will greatly improve road safety, reduce travel times, reduce vehicle operating costs and bolster flood immunity to increase year round access.
“Upgrading the Carpentaria Highway involves a range of works including reconstructing, widening, elevating and sealing the road, meaning this important route will have year round access, improving economic opportunities and access to essential services,” Lawler says.
Territory company Exact Contracting is undertaking the program of works with construction for stage two now underway. The NT government says this stage will deliver further upgrades and sealed bitumen along the road to Borroloola.
“Exact Contracting is a Territory company who builds great roads, making driving along highways like the Carpentaria a smoother and safer journey for Territorians and visitors,” Bowden says.
The project has created more than 200 jobs while up to 80 employees can be found on site at any one time.