The first new lanes on the Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass are now open to traffic, easing traffic flow and improving safety for thousands of Territorians every day.
The $165 million jointly funded investment by the Federal and Northern Territory Governments will improve road safety outcomes, reduce traffic delays during peak hours and increase the traffic flow for freight connectivity.
The project is being delivered by local company Sitzler and supported by a host of local subcontractors and suppliers. To date over 180 local businesses have been involved in this significant project with more than 1,200 workers involved, including 139 indigenous workers and 27 apprentices and trainees.
The new outbound lanes of Tiger Brennan Drive heading towards Palmerston are now connected to the existing lanes, allowing road users to utilise these lanes, passing under the bridge carrying Berrimah Road over Tiger Brennan Drive.
To date, extensive works have been undertaken to create the new lanes for Tiger Brennan Drive, including:
- Site remediation works and ground treatment works
- Service relocation works for HV power, telecommunications, water and sewer mains
- Extensive bulk earthworks to create the new alignment of Tiger Brennan Drive along with high fills for elevated Berrimah Road and the new on & off ramps
- Installation of major drainage culverts and creation of stormwater detention ponds
- Construction of road pavements
- Installation of street lighting
- Construction of the bridge
The new overpass will carry Berrimah Road traffic over Tiger Brennan Drive, separating the major flow of traffic on Tiger Brennan Drive from the traffic movements on Berrimah Road enabling a continuous flow of traffic and continued safety.
The new Tiger Brennan Drive city-bound carriageway and tie-in to the existing lanes is anticipated to be open to traffic in June.
The overall project is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, said that this is a landmark project which will positively impact 20,000 Territory road users each and every day.
“Projects like this support Territorians in work and support a pipeline of local businesses. This milestone is the first of many,” Ms Lawler said.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that the latest step in this major project is welcome news for those who travel on Tiger Brennan Drive daily.
“We are working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to deliver the new overpass, which will ease congestion – particularly in peak-period traffic,” Ms King said.
Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Joel Bowden, said that Tiger Brennan Drive is a key arterial Territory road that supports industry and gets the Territory working.
“This project also improves road safety by separating opposing traffic, the project will also provide an economic boost by improving traffic flow and connectivity for freight road trains heading to East Arm Wharf.”
Image credit: ABCDstock/shutterstock.com
