Plenty Highway upgrades to boost Australia’s longest adventure drive The Outback Way

18 July 2024

The Lawler Labor 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 Plenty Highway is one of the 7 interconnecting roads that make up The Outback Way, a key tourism route also known as Australia’s longest shortcut that cuts through the middle of Australia from Queensland through to Alice Springs in the NT before finishing in Western Australia.

Jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Australian Governments the upgrades are designed to improve safety and will also provide greater access and benefits to remote communities as well as the tourism, mining and freight sectors.

Concrete causeways will be constructed at the crossings of the Plenty and Marshall Rivers and Bonya Creek and the intersections to Bonya community and the Jervois Station Roadhouse will be formalised, upgraded and sealed.

Works will also include the relocation and realignment of the Lucy Creek mine intersection to improve sight distance and address safety concerns.

The project is expected to support 62 employees including 15 Indigenous employees and 14 apprentices.

Works are anticipated to commence late July 2024 and completed by December 2025.

Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Eva Lawler:

“My Government and team is focussed on sealing Territory roads. The more roads sealed the more business can 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.”

Quotes attributed to Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Joel Bowden:

“This multi-million dollar project on the Plenty Highway in Central Australia will improve road safety and reduce travel time for Territorians, drive visitors and all motorists that use this key route.

“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.”

“This is another major infrastructure project for the Territory that will provide skills, training and employment opportunities for Territorians.”

Ends 

Northern Territory Government