Stage one of the Katherine heavy vehicle project gets underway in the Northern Territory.
Truck drivers in the Northern Territory will soon be able to skirt around Katherine’s CBD, with construction now underway on a heavy vehicle bypass of the town centre.
The Federal Government has allocated $5.5 million to stage one of the project to give trucks on the Victorian and Stuart highways an alternative to travelling through Katherine.
The Stuart Highway is the main freight link between the Northern Territory and the rest of Australia.
Infrastructure minister Warren Truss says heavy vehicles and road trains using the main street of Katherine has been an ongoing issue.
“Stage one of the project includes an upgrade of the Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Road intersection, followed by the upgrade of the Victoria Highway and Bicentennial Road intersection,” he says.
Northern Territory transport minister Peter Styles says Katherine’s CBD currently has to accommodate a mix of pedestrians, tourist traffic and heavy vehicles.
“Once completed, the project will greatly improve pedestrian safety whilst contributing to greater freight efficiency by providing an alternative route,” he says.
“Stage one will also deliver a better road surface, increased turning lane lengths and street lighting upgrades.”
ATN has sought information on when the project will be completed and open to traffic.