Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
Due to anumber of fatal crashes in 2018 on the Kakadu Highway, the Department ofInfrastructure, Planning and Logistics engaged a Road Safety Auditor to developa strategy to improve road safety on the Highway. The audit identified a numberof improvements that could be implemented to improve safety including:
- Reducing the speed through winding sections;
- Install several warning and advisory signs;
- Sealing selected accesses;
- Widening culverts; and
- Installing guard rails.
TheDepartment has already installed the recommended warning and advisory signs andin the week commencing 12 August, several other actions will be taken.
Speed Reduction
From the 12 August, a permanent speed reduction will take place on a 67km portion of the KakaduHighway from the Stuart Highway to the Mary River jump up. This portion of theKakadu Highway has frequent curves and crests. The speed limit within this areawill be reduced from 110km/h to 100km/h.
Sealing of selectedaccesses
Workswill commence from Monday 12 August to seal selected accesses along the lengthof the Kakadu Highway, including the Bukbukluk Lookout access road asrecommended by the Coroner.
TheDepartment of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, General Manager ofTransport and Civil Services, Ms Louise McCormick, said the Department takesroad safety very seriously.
Followingspate of fatal crashes in 2018, the Department undertook an independent auditof the Kakadu Highway to understand if there were any underlying infrastructureissues, said Ms McCormick.
The auditidentified particular infrastructure improvements, which the Department hasbeen actioning and will continue to action.
A speedreduction will take place on a 67km portion of the Kakadu Highway from StuartHighway to the Mary River jump up. This portion of the Kakadu Highway hasfrequent curves and crests.
Additionalwarning and advisory signs have been installed and works to seal accesses willstart next week.
Further work to be undertaken includes widening of culverts overwaterways and guard rails.
These works are being paid for under a new $3 million program toimprove safety of our road infrastructure a priority action under the TowardsZero Road Safety Action Plan.
In addition to these works, the Department is reviewing regularmaintenance regimes for loose gravel on sealed surfaces in accordance with theCoroners recommendations.
