Buntine Highway Road Upgrading - Project Development and Delivery Phase

Project Description

The Buntine Highway is a rural arterial road which runs from the Victoria Highway to the Western Australian border. Approximately 336km of the Highway is sealed, with 222km predominantly unsealed.

This project will build on existing investments by the Australian and Northern Territory governments by upgrading more than 54km of the Buntine Highway. These works will include flood immunity and safety improvements, sealing, and, pavement strengthening and widening of sections of the Highway.

Benefits

The current condition of the Buntine Highway limits year-round heavy vehicle access, with the road critical to servicing the growing demand for beef exports and growth in cattle production. Increased access will also benefit tourism, mining and local communities.

The project will provide the following benefits:   

• increased road safety for passenger and freight vehicles on the Buntine Highway
• improved route efficiency, accessibility and connectivity, through improvements to drainage structures and flood immunity works
• increased regional productivity and economic development, through increased freight capacity, particularly for the beef industry.

Funding

The Australian Government has committed up to $38.5 million towards this $48.1 million project.

Timetable

Construction commenced in June 2018 and is expected to be completed in late 2021, weather permitting.