Project to flood-proof section of Stuart Highway has been completed, ensuring communities won't be cut off during the wet season
February 13, 2013
The project to flood-proof a section of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory has been completed, with the upgrade ensuring communities will not be cut off during the wet season.
The $1.5 million federally-funded project raised 1km of highway by a metre near King River, south of Katherine.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the Stuart Highway provides access to communities near Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
“This particular stretch, 40km south of Katherine, was previously prone to flooding during heavy rain and improving its flood immunity significantly minimises the risk to communities along the highway being cut off during the wet season,” he says.
Northern Territory Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adam Giles says large culverts, road sealing and guardrails were also installed to improve road safety.
Albanese says the upgrade complements other projects along the Stuart Highway, including the recently-opened Adelaide River truck parking bays and highway strengthening works.
He says three 3km-long overtaking lanes are currently under construction between Darwin and Katherine.
