Central Arnhem Road upgrade receives $21 M contract

The Northern Territory and Australian governments have awarded a $21 million contract to Allan King and Sons to upgrade and seal a 14‑kilometre stretch of the Central Arnhem Road between the Manyallaluk turnoff and the Barunga power station. The project will widen the existing narrow seal to a two‑lane sealed road, improve drainage, bridges, culverts, and flood‑immunity works, and realign key sections to enhance safety.

The work forms part of a broader $350 million Central Arnhem Road Upgrade programme, jointly funded with $280 million from the Australian Government and $70 million from the Northern Territory Government. Construction is slated to begin in September 2026 and finish by December 2027. The 645‑kilometre Central Arnhem Road links Nhulunbuy to the Stuart Highway and is a vital freight and tourism corridor for remote Aboriginal communities, mining, pastoral and tourism industries. NT Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan and Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King highlighted the project’s importance for safer journeys, better connectivity and economic opportunities.