A $68 million contract has been awarded for Stage 3 of the Carpentaria Highway upgrades.
Jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments, this forms part of the $254 million Carpentaria Highway upgrade project.
The highway is being upgraded to a dual lane seal with flood immunity improvements to improve safety, travel times and increase year round access.
Exact Contracting Pty Ltd has been named the successful tenderer, to design and construct the next stage of works from the Tanumbirini Propacc Track to 5kms past the October Creek Bridge.
“This is a key milestone in unlocking the full potential of the Beetaloo Sub-basin and improving connectivity to Borroloola and across the Roper Gulf region,” said Treasurer and Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan.
“These upgrades are critical for our cattle, mining and energy sectors, and for the remote communities that depend on this vital transport corridor year-round.”
Stage 3 will deliver:
• A dual-lane sealed road between CH140km and CH175km;
• A new, two-lane sealed October Creek Bridge; and
• Upgraded flood immunity through widened and elevated road infrastructure.
The Carpentaria Highway provides access to the Roper Gulf Region, and about 26 outstations, with a population of approximately 6505 people.
The road is also a key route for Glencore’s McArthur River Mine for provision of supplies and transport of heavy equipment, including 40,000 litres of diesel per day, supplied by road train from Darwin.
Stage 1 of the project was completed in September 2024, with Stage 2 due to be finished by June 2025. Stage 3 works will begin this month and should be completed by December 2025.
