Work on the $110 million Tiger Brennan Drive Extension entered a new phase today with about 120,000 cubic metres of land "blasted" at Berrimah Farm in Darwin to make way for the new 7.5km four-lane dual highway extension.

This is one of the single largest projects in Darwin, supporting up to 200 jobs and building the vital road infrastructure for the future.

The project will reduce travel delays and improve safety for about 34,000 vehicles per day and transform the corridor between the rural area, Palmerston and Darwin.

The project is progressing well with much of the land corridor having already been cleared and the culvert construction underway as part of the early works.

Today's blasting symbolises the start of a critical new stage.

Road sealing as part of Stage Two is set to begin towards the end of this year with work on the much anticipated overpasses set to begin in next month.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

The Australian Government has committed $74 million to this vital project with the Northern Territory Government contributing $36 million.