Contract awarded for upgrades to Carpentaria Highway

The Australian and Northern Territory governments are delivering a major upgrade to various sections along 138 kilometres of the Carpentaria Highway.

The $150 million program of work is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis and will be delivered in two separate stages over two years.

A design and construct tender has been awarded to Exact Contracting Pty Ltd for $67 million for stage one

Stage one will include the first 48 kilometres of the Carpentaria Highway and is expected to be completed by April 2023.

Stage two will see upgrades from chainage 50 kilometres to chainage 140 kilometres.

Upgrades will include creating a two-lane sealed road with a raised formation to improve flood immunity and constructing culverts to improve cross drainage where required.

The works are anticipated to support 135 jobs, with an Indigenous Employer and Supplier Use target of 29 per cent.

The upgrades to the Carpentaria Highway complement multiple strategic projects currently underway that aim to bring the Territory’s vision to become a world-class gas production, manufacturing and services hub to reality.

For more information, visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication’s website

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

"The last year has shown us just how important it is to upgrade key freight and transport routes to deal with increased flooding and severe weather events.

"These upgrades will include creating a two-lane sealed road with a raised formation to improve flood immunity and constructing culverts to improve cross drainage where required.

"We know how important good roads are to the NT. That’s why we are investing in key freight roads and access roads for remote communities across the Territory.”

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler:

"The Carpentaria Highway is a key access road to Borroloola and surrounding regions, and an important service route for the pastoral, tourism, agricultural and mining sectors, including to the Beetaloo Sub-Basin.

"Upgrading Carpentaria Highway will involve sealing, reconstruction, widening and elevating the road alignment to increase flood immunity, meaning this important route will have improved accessibility throughout the year, improving access to health services and economic opportunities.

"Connecting the Territory and making sure business can keep moving is important, and this local Territory business completing these works know how vital this road is.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:

“These upgrades are expected to deliver many benefits, including more efficient and reliable roads, improved freight productivity and access to freight gateways, and safer roads in line with Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan.

“The works will also better connect Territorians with jobs and services, and goods with markets, while also bolstering flood immunity, reducing annual road closures.

“Crucially, Indigenous territories will benefit from improved access to health and social services for remote and Indigenous communities, while the project will also increase Aboriginal employment and business supplier use.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

MINISTER KING – NICK BEAVER 0419 709 266

MINISTER LAWLER – JASMINE ROUSSOS 0439 003 248