Motorists travelling the Stuart Highway south of Katherine will enjoy safer driving conditions in the wet season following the completion of a $1.5 million upgrade to the highway near King River.
“As one of Australia’s major highways, the Stuart Highway connects and provides access to communities near Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, supporting tourism and the resources sector,” Mr Albanese said.
“This particular stretch, 40 kilometres south of Katherine, was previously prone to flooding during heavy rain and improving its flood immunity significantly minimises the risk to communities along the highway being cut off during the wet season.”
“This upgrade is part of the record $636 million we’re spending to upgrade the Territory’s infrastructure through our Nation Building Program. Under Federal Labor, infrastructure spending in the Territory has nearly doubled from $275 to $458 per person.”
NT Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adam Giles said the road has been raised by one metre to improve flood immunity and drainage.
“This project elevated one kilometre of the Stuart Highway to make it less flood prone so road users can be more confident when travelling during the wet season,” Mr Giles said.
“A series of large culverts, road sealing and guard rails were also installed to improve road safety.”
Local company Allan King and Sons completed the works with a crew of about 45 staff including subcontractors and eight Indigenous employees.
The project was fully funded by the Federal Labor Government’s Nation Building Flood Immunity program and complements several other upgrades along the Stuart Highway including:

• the recently completed $2.85 million Adelaide River truck parking bays and highway strengthening and widening works; and


• three 3km-long overtaking lanes currently under construction between Darwin and Katherine – being delivered by the Federal and Territory governments at a cost of $4.3 million.