The Northern Territory’s largest ever road project has just got even bigger, with the Federal Labor Government agreeing to partner with the Henderson Labor Government to deliver the fourth and final stage to the upgrade of Tiger Brennan Drive.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese today joined Chief Minister Paul Henderson to announce that construction will begin next year on widening the road from two to four lanes along the 12 kilometre section between Berrimah Road and Darwin’s CBD, with the planning work to begin immediately.
“Completion of the fourth and final stage will further reduce congestion and travel times between Darwin and Palmerston, two of Australia’s fastest growing communities, as well as provide better access to the Port,” said Mr Albanese.
“This investment is a vote of confidence by the Federal Government in the Territory’s future.  Indeed, together with the Henderson Labor Government we are putting in place the modern, well planned infrastructure which will unlock the region’s full economic potential in the competitive globalised world of the 21^st century.
“Already we’ve nearly doubled annual Federal infrastructure spending from $275 to $458 per Territorian, taking our total investment over the life of our current six-year Nation Building Program to an unprecedented $635 million.”
The widening of the last section of Tiger Brennan Drive will be jointly funded by the Federal ($70 million) and Northern Territory ($33 million) governments.
“The first stage of this upgrade cut up to 20 mins from travel time to the city and the number of people using the road doubled – now we’re going to make it even quicker to get to and from the city,” Chief Minister Henderson said.
“The first stage is done, now we are finishing the job by duplicating Tiger Brennan Drive all the way.
“The economic future of Australia lies in the North, and Darwin is on the rise - we need to continue to invest in the infrastructure to support our growing city and population.
“There is more to be done and that’s why we’re investing in the final stage of the upgrade to get Territorians to and from work even quicker, so they can have more time to do the things they want like spend time with the family and enjoying our Great Territory Lifestyle.
“For residents of the Northern Suburbs and Palmerston and the rural area it means spending less time in their cars, a safer and quicker trip to work, and less merging lanes.
“We have invested in key infrastructure to secure investment into the Territory and support growing the Territory – the Territory has a very bright future, there’s more to be done and we need to continue to invest in projects for a growing Territory economy.”
The completed works to Tiger Brennan Drive upgrade has been jointly funded by the Federal ($74 million) and Northern Territory ($36 million) governments.
The upgrade will begin at the Berrimah Road end and progress to the city end. Negotiations on road design will take place with Darwin City Council when duplicating the Dinah Beach Road to CBD connection to the city.
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