Upgrades to Santa Teresa Road have reached another important milestone with a $37.4 million contract now awarded to Exact Contracting to seal a further 22.5 kilometre section of the road (southeast of Alice Springs).
Exact Contracting will soon begin work to upgrade and deliver a two-lane sealed road, starting from around the 40-kilometre mark through to approximately 62 kilometres along the road.
The project is part of the $415 million Northern Territory Strategic Roads Package, funded by the Australian ($332 million) and Northern Territory ($83 million) governments.
Upgrades will deliver an eight-metre-wide sealed rural arterial road, with associated civil works, site establishment and traffic management planning and implementation.
Santa Teresa Road is historically prone to flooding and corrugation.
Once complete, these works will significantly upgrade this section of the road, improving safety for all road users, reducing travel times, and supporting a more reliable transport route southeast of Alice Springs.
This upgrade builds on previous works delivered as part of the package, including sealing seven kilometres of Santa Teresa Road from the 13-kilometre and 20-kilometre sections.
These works are a continuation of efforts to deliver safer, more reliable road infrastructure for remote and regional communities in the Northern Territory.
The planning, design, construction and maintenance of the upgrades will support local businesses and around 60 jobs, including employment opportunities for First Nations people.
Works are expected to start in October 2026 and be completed by early 2028.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"The Northern Territory Strategic Roads Package is delivering much needed works that will improve the safety and reliability of remote and regional roads in the NT.
"With another milestone reached on Santa Teresa Road, we are a step closer to improving year-round connections to essential services, while also supporting industry, freight and tourism operations."
Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan:
"This is a great outcome for the Santa Teresa community, pastoralists and everyone who relies on this road, and I know these upgrades are long overdue.
"Santa Teresa Road has historically been prone to flooding and corrugation, and sealing another 22.5 kilometres will provide a safer and more reliable road for local residents and motorists."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:
"Having a safer and more reliable road into Alice Springs means better access to health care, education, shops and essential services for the residents of Santa Teresa.
"Sealing another 22.5 kilometres of the Santa Teresa Road is a big step forward. People in remote communities deserve roads they can rely on.
"This project will make a real difference to the Santa Teresa community and everyone travelling this road."
