The Northern Territory Government has awarded more than $44 million to local Territory business Aldebaran Contracting, to upgrade and seal a 27km section of the Plenty Highway in Central Australia.
The Outback Way, known as Australia’s longest shortcut, has seven interconnecting roads including the Plenty Highway that cut through the middle of Australia, from Queensland, through to Alice Springs in the NT before finishing in Western Australia.
Designed to improve safety and provide greater access and benefits to remote communities as well as the tourism, mining and freight sectors, the upgrades are jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Australian Governments.
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Chief Minister, Eva Lawler says her team are focused on sealing Territory roads, allowing businesses to flourish.
“This Government has invested heavily in job-creating infrastructure, stimulus programs and turbocharging tourism — backing Territory businesses — making sure that local working opportunities come first,” she says.
Minister for infrastructure, planning and logistics, Joel Bowden says this major infrastructure project will provide skills, training and employment opportunities for Territorians.
The project aims to support 62 employees including 15 Indigenous employees and 14 apprentices.
The upgrades will see concrete causeways being constructed at the crossings of the Plenty and Marshall Rivers, Bonya Creek, the intersections to Bonya community and the Jervois Station Roadhouse will be formalised, modernised and sealed.
To improve sight distance and address safety concerns, works will also include the relocation and realignment of the Lucy Creek mine intersection.
Bowden says this multi-million-dollar project will reduce travel time for the community, visitors and all motorists, while improving road safety due to the unsealed section of the Highway.
“With the majority of the unsealed section of the Highway below natural surface level, heavy rains can cause road closures and heavy vehicle restrictions, which is why we will continue to progress the sealing of this key Highway,” he says.
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