Further funding announced for NT Stuart Hwy & Carpentaria Hwy upgrades

The Australian Government has announced that it will invest more than $258 million to upgrade the Stuart Highway and Carpentaria Highway as part of its initiative to build the Northern Territory’s future. 

The Stuart Highway is a major road that runs north to south through the heart of Australia. Spanning about 2,700 kilometres, the highway is a critical corridor for freight and tourism which links Darwin to Katherine and Alice Springs, and on to South Australia. 

The $200 million Federal Government funding will progressively duplicate priority sections of Stuart Highway between Darwin and Katherine to enhance freight movement and improve road safety. 

With this new project, the Australian Government’s total investment into the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly highways now sits at nearly $780 million. 

Construction on this Stuart Highway project is expected to commence in mid-2026 and be completed by mid-2028 

“I’m proud to be part of a Government which is building this country’s future, investing in critical freight and transport corridors like the Stuart Highway. 

“This will be transformational for both residents and visitors of Darwin and Katherine, making journeys smoother, safer and more enjoyable. 

“This is the transport spine of Australia, and we’re investing $200 million to get it in good nick,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

This investment in Stuart Highway will ease congestion, increase safety and improve travel times and connectivity across the territory for locals and tourists. 

“The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring the future growth and sustainability of remote communities and regional centres across the Northern Territory,” Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said. 

On the other hand, an additional $58.3 million has been allocated towards the Carpentaria Highway Upgrade. This brings the total Federal Government contribution to this project to $203.3 million. 

The new funding will enable a further 35 kilometres of the Carpentaria Highway to be upgraded. 

The project is being delivered in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, and it will involve upgrading around 175 kilometres of the highway, starting at the Stuart Highway. 

This upgrade will help improve efficiency, safety and accessibility of the Carpentaria Highway from Barroloola township in the east, through the Beetaloo Sub-basin to the Stuart Highway in the west. 

These projects build on several developments already committed to the Stuart Highway, including the $171.8 million Northern Territory National Network Highway Upgrades (Phase 2), which involves works such as pavement strengthening, widening and resurfacing on priority sections of the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly highways. 

The Australian Government’s total investment into the Northern Territory under the Infrastructure Investment Program over the next decade (from 2025-26) is $2.8 billion. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; National Indigenous Times; Roads & Infrastructure Australia