Works progress on Stage 2 of NT Adelaide River Floodplains upgrade

The second stage of the Arnhem Highway – Adelaide River Floodplains upgrade in the Northern Territory is progressing as part of the Territory Government’s commitment to delivering better and more resilient roads. 

This $31.66 million project will upgrade the Adelaide River Floodplains over Arnhem Highway at Beatrice Hill Causeway to help improve safety for all road users as well as reduce closures due to flooding during wet seasons. 

Stage 2 works are being carried out by local company Allan King and Sons Construction. 

Scope of works for Stage 2 includes upgrading a three-kilometre section of the Arnhem Highway along with the construction of a new four-span bridge at the Beatrice Hill Causeway. 

Final pavement layers as well as bitumen sealing have already been completed for the first 800 metres of the new road to be delivered under this stage. On the other hand, works on the Eastern and Western tie in that connects the new alignment to the existing road are near completion, with line marking still to be done. 

Works to build the new bridge commenced in mid-July of this year and piling works for the new bridge foundations have been completed. 

“The Territory Labor Government is improving our road network and making travel safer and more accessible for roads users. 

“The project is upgrading a three kilometre section of the Arnhem Highway and building a new four-span bridge at the Beatrice Hill Causeway. 

“The Arnhem Highway is a vital connection between Darwin and Jabiru for people who live in the region, as well as visitors to Kakadu National Park, and is a key route for transporting construction materials extracted from quarries to building sites and providing access to pastoral properties. These upgrades will give everyone more confidence in its reliability in the dry and wet,” Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said. 

Project map (source: Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics)

Stage 2 of the Adelaide River Floodplains upgrade is due to be completed by the end of 2023, but its completion will depend on the time it will take to consolidate the new section of road – due to the challenges of construction in a floodplain environment. 

The second stage is jointly funded by the Australia Government – under the Roads of Strategic Importance program – and the Northern Territory Government, each contributing $25.33 million and $6.33 million respectively. 

Stage 1 of the project was opened to traffic in December 2021, and it included upgrading a 6.5-kilometre stretch of road and the construction of 13 new bridges. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Northern Territory Government – Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics; The National Tribune