en.Wedoany.com Reported - A $21 million contract has been awarded for the upgrade of a 14-kilometre section of the Central Arnhem Road, with Allan King and Sons undertaking the construction. The section, located between the Manyallaluk turn-off and Barunga Station in the Northern Territory, will be widened from a narrow sealed surface to a dual-lane sealed road. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026 and be completed by December 2027.
Works include rebuilding and widening the existing road, upgrading drainage systems, bridges, and culverts along the section, and implementing flood resilience improvements to reduce wet-season access disruptions and support more reliable year-round travel. Some sections will be realigned to improve safety. These works are part of the broader $350 million Central Arnhem Road upgrade program.
The Central Arnhem Road spans 645 kilometres, connecting Nhulunbuy to the Stuart Highway, and serves as a major transport route for remote communities, mining operations, pastoral enterprises, and tourism. Freight vehicles use this corridor to transport supplies, equipment, and products across the Arnhem region and connect to the broader Northern Territory road network. Currently, narrow sealed sections and wet-season closures can restrict access, increase travel times, and complicate freight planning.
Northern Territory Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan, said the route supports several regional industries. "The Central Arnhem Road is one of the Northern Territory's most important transport corridors, connecting remote communities, supporting major industries, and providing a vital link between Nhulunbuy and the Stuart Highway," he said.
Widening the road to a dual-lane sealed surface will reduce conflicts between oncoming vehicles and provide more space for heavy vehicles. Improved drainage, culverts, and floodways are designed to reduce wet-season pavement damage and closures. Road strengthening and realignment works will also enhance safety and driving consistency. Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the project will improve freight and passenger travel, with vehicles passing through the area benefiting from safer journeys, better connectivity, and reduced travel times.
The Central Arnhem Road provides access to employment, education, health services, family connections, and essential supplies for numerous Aboriginal communities between the Stuart Highway and Nhulunbuy. Wet-season flooding can isolate communities or restrict freight movement, making more reliable road access particularly important. Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said that for many Aboriginal communities, this road is a vital connection to essential services, education, employment, and family.
The Central Arnhem Road upgrade program totals $350 million, jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Northern Territory Government, with the Commonwealth contributing $280 million and the Northern Territory Government providing $70 million. The Manyallaluk to Barunga section works are an integral component of the overall plan to seal, widen, and strengthen the corridor.
