Two milestones have been reached for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands Main Access Road upgrade in far north-western South Australia.
The contract to deliver the second section of the upgrade has been awarded to Toll Mining Services. The company’s scope of works will include an 88-kilometre surface and drainage improvement works between Umuwa (Double Tank) and Mimili.
“This project will improve living standards of the local Anangu by improving connections to services and employment opportunities, along with safer roads and reduced vehicle operating costs,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said.
According to SA Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan, this project will form part of the 210-kilometre Main Access Road upgrade as well as the 21-kilometre community access roads between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja (Ernabella) in the APY Lands.
Construction on the second section of the Main Access Road upgrade is expected to begin in November 2017.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said that the upgrade on the second section alone will support up to 40 jobs, with 13 jobs going to local Anangu.
Tenders for the third section of the upgrade have also been called. The final section will involve upgrading a 66-kilometre stretch of road between Mimili and Iwantja (Indulkana). The tender will be closing on 16 November 2017.
“This is a positive project for the APY Lands. Many Anangu are gaining work on the road construction and there will be some really significant long-term safety and access benefits for everyone living on the lands,” State Member for Giles Eddie Hughes said.
Weather permitting, all three sections of the APY Lands Main Access Road upgrade are expected to be completed by mid-2019.
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