2 April 2022
Recently local Territory businesses have had the opportunity to apply for a tender to seal 150 kilometres of the Tanami Road.
This new round of works will consist of upgrades and sealing of the Tanami Road between chainage 271.81 and 421.00km.
Contractors have also recently been involved in stakeholder briefings which is expected to support 100 local jobs.
This week, the Australian Government committed a further $160 million to the Tanami Road. Along with the Territory Government's $40 million this is an extra $200 million for the Tanami.
The Australian Government and the Northern Territory Government have now committed $400 million over 10 years on a co-funding basis to upgrade the Tanami Road within the NT under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative.
The Tanami Road is a 1,014km direct link from Halls Creek in WA, to the Stuart Highway 19km north of Alice Springs. Of this distance, 703km is in the NT, compromised of 281km of sealed road, a portion of which is single lane sealed, and 422km of unsealed road.
The upgrades will support regional and local economic development by improving connectivity and increasing safety for industry and communities in the region.
A vital inter-regional link connecting Alice Springs to Western Australia, Tanami Road is a key freight route for the mining and pastoral industries, services a number of Indigenous communities, and is an important access road for tourists. This current tender comprises two stages, with the first 60km section anticipated to be underway by mid year 2022.
In November 2020, an early works package of 11.8km to complete the sealing to Yuendumu was awarded to local NT company Exact Contracting Pty Ltd for $7.14 million. Construction was completed in late 2021.
Quotes from the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:
"Connecting the Territory is one way we are letting the rest of Australia and the world know that the NT is open for business and ready to support quality private investment.
"The Territory Labor Government is creating a pipeline of work to keep businesses moving and locals employed.
"Sealing our roads and making for easy journeys means reduced freight costs, reliability and makes sure business keeps moving in a safe and productive way."
Northern Territory Government
