The Federal Government will provide up to $10 million for the first stage of a heavy vehicle bypass of Katherine
July 19, 2013
The Federal Government will provide up to $10 million for the first stage of a heavy vehicle bypass of Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Announcing the funding pledge today, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says a bypass will divert trucks away from local streets and deliver safer and smoother driving conditions for vehicles travelling through Katherine on the Victoria Highway and Stuart Highway.
Work is due to start in the coming months and be completed by mid next year.
“Currently, the main street corridor is the only existing transport route through Katherine and during the peak tourism season, it has to accommodate a mix of pedestrian traffic, tourist traffic and heavy vehicles,” Albanese says.
“Getting heavy vehicles off local streets will make it safer for all road users and make Katherine a better place to live.”
The first stage of funding will go to upgrading Bicentennial Road to provide for increased heavy vehicle traffic and upgrading the intersections of the Stuart Highway and Bicentennial Road and Victoria Highway and Bicentennial Road.
Albanese says money will also go to planning for the further stages of the heavy vehicle bypass that takes into account a proposed freight hub.
He says the Government has reached an agreement on the scope of works and funding with the Katherine Town Council and will work with the council and Northern Territory Government to build the bypass.
“This is a strong commitment to Katherine’s massive growth potential and planning for the town’s modern infrastructure needs,” Albanese says.
