Tender released to upgrade Santa Teresa Road in the NT
A tender to fully seal another 22.5 kilometres of the Santa Teresa Road southeast of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
This project is part of the $415 million Northern Territory Strategic Roads Package, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments – each contributing $332 million and $83 million respectively.
This package aims to improve economic and social opportunities for remote and regional communities across the Territory. Santa Teresa Road has been identified as a priority project under this package.
“The Australian Government is committed to providing a more reliable and weather-proof access road for the First Nations community of Santa Teresa to link with Alice Springs.
“This investment will support economic opportunities in Central Australia, significantly reduce travel time, and improve the accessibility of essential services for community members,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
The Santa Teresa Road connects the local community to Alice Springs, services several pastoral leases, and serves as the main access route for numerous freight companies.
The tender for the project will close on 22 June 2026.
Once appointed, the successful tenderer will upgrade and deliver a two-lane sealed road from chainage 40.15 kilometres to 62.69 kilometres on the Santa Teresa Road. The upgrade will greatly improve this section of road that is currently unsealed and was severely damaged by frequent flooding.
This project builds on previous works in the Package that sealed about seven kilometres of the road from the 13-kilometre mark to the 20-kilometre mark. These works will also further the efforts to create a fully sealed, all-weather route between Alice Springs and the Santa Teresa community.
The planning, design, construction and maintenance of the upgrades will support First Nations employment and businesses.
Sealing of this section of Santa Teresa Road is expected to be completed in early 2028.
“This is especially welcomed by the Santa Teresa community and pastoralists relying on this road who will see less wear and tear on their vehicles and a safer driving experience – great news in our year of growth, certainty and security,” NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan said.
“The community has been advocating for this issue for a long time, and I’ve been fighting to get the Santa Teresa Road sealed since before I was elected in 2022.
“I know how difficult the Santa Teresa Road can be during extreme weather and these upgrades will make it a lot easier for community members to access services in Alice Springs year round,” Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Northern Territory Government – Quotations and Tenders Online
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