The $58 million contract to deliver the Keep River Road upgrade in the Northern Territory has been awarded to local contractor Exact Contracting Pty Ltd, progressing the project towards the beginning of construction.
This upgrade is anticipated to generate up to 100 jobs during its construction phase.
“Works will help access to remote communities like Legune Station, Spirit Hills Station, Cannon Hills Station, Kneebone Outstation and Marralum Family Outstation. It will also strengthen transport connections for agriculture, resources and pastoral industries - creating opportunities for future investment and more jobs for the region,” Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva lawler said.
The upgrade is going to be carried out in two stages. The first stage will include upgrading a 13.4-kilometre section of Keep River Road from the Western Australian border to Legune Station into a two-lane standard road, while Stage 2 will involve building a new bridge over Sandy Creek.
Keep River Road is located at the Northern Territory/Western Australian border, about 47 kilometres north-east of Kununurra and 160 kilometre north-west of Timber Creek.
Once construction is completed, the upgraded Keep River Road will help improve reliability and safety on this vital supply route as well as support economic growth in the region.
“This is an important investment on a vital transport link for industries which rely on this road to move produce from paddock to plate as well as give the local economy a shot in the arm with construction jobs,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
According to Senator for the Northern Territory Sam McMahon, this project will provide a significant boost for the region.
“This is fantastic news for the local community and for the whole Northern Territory.
“Not only will this road upgrade further enhance the capabilities of existing businesses in the region but will open up opportunities for further economic investment,” Senator McMahon said.
The Keep River Road upgrade is part of the Northern Australia Roads Program and it is expected to support the $1.45 billion Project Sea Dragon - a prawn aquaculture project that is set to create about 1,500 local jobs.
Works on Stage 1 of the project anticipated to commence in late 2019 and is due for completion by late 2020, weather permitting.
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Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Infrastructure Magazine
