Keep River Road $58M contract awarded

A $58 million tender to upgrade Keep River Road has been awarded to a local company in the Northern Territory.

Exact Contracting won the contract, which is expected to deliver more than 100 local jobs.

Works will be delivered in two stages. The first stage includes the upgrade of 13.4 kilometres from the WA border to a two-lane road toward the Legune Station, and a bridge over the Keep River.

Stage two works will include a bridge over Sandy Creek.

Keep River Road is located on the Western Australia and Northern Territory border.

Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler said the upgrades will improve road safety and increase flood immunity, ensuring year-round access to such an important supply route.

“Work will help access to remote communities like Legune Station, Spirit Hills Station, Cannon Hills Station, Kneebone Outstation and Marralum Family Outstation. It will also strengthen transport connections for agriculture, resources and pastoral industries, creating opportunities for future investment and more jobs for the region,” Ms. Lawler said.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the works would improve safety and reliability of the critical supply route and support economic growth in the north.

“This is an important investment on a vital transport link for industries which rely on this road to move produce from paddock to plate as well as give the local economy a shot in the arm with construction jobs.”

The Keep River Road project is part of the Northern Australia Roads Program and is a partnership between the Australian Government and Northern Territory Government.

Construction of Stage 1 will commence late 2019 and is expected to be completed late 2020, weather permitting.

Senator for the Northern Territory Sam McMahon said the investment would deliver a significant boost for the region.

“Not only will this road upgrade further enhance the capabilities of existing businesses in the region but will open up opportunities for further economic investment,” Mr. McMahon said.