The Australian and Northern Territory governments have signed a $49.5 million contract to upgrade a 34-kilometer section of the Tanami Road. The Northern Territory-based company Exact Contracting will undertake the road construction between Renehans Bore and Refrigerator Bore, a crucial route for freight, mining, pastoral, and tourism industries.
The project aims to convert the existing gravel road into a two-lane sealed surface, while enhancing road safety features and adding culverts to improve drainage. Construction is expected to commence in early 2026 and be completed by November of the same year. This is part of the Tanami Road upgrade program, following the sealing of a 150-kilometer section from Yuendumu to west of Chilla Well in June 2025.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King stated: "Sealing and upgrading the Tanami Road will reduce disruptions during the wet season, improve road safety, and provide more reliable access for communities to essential goods and services."
In addition to the Tanami Road, Exact Contracting is also continuing the upgrade of the Carpentaria Highway, a key access route to the Beetaloo Sub-basin. This $68 million project will upgrade another 35-kilometer section and construct a new bridge at October Creek in June 2026.
On the southern Plenty Highway, sealing work is underway on a 27-kilometer section, as part of a joint commitment by the Australian and Northern Territory governments to develop the Outback Way into a fully sealed east-west transport link across central Australia. Managed by Aldebaran Contracting, this project will bring the total length of two-lane sealed road on the Plenty Highway to 155 kilometers upon completion.
In Kakadu National Park, the first works have begun under the $70 million Australian Government-funded road upgrade program. Amrock Civil is progressing the first works package, upgrading and realigning a 2-kilometer section of Kubara Road, with completion expected by May 2026 under a $1.55 million contract. DAC Enterprises secured a nearly $9 million contract in January 2026 to upgrade 8 kilometers of Maguk Road, with work set to start at the beginning of the dry season and finish by January 2027.
Northern Territory Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan noted: "The Northern Territory Government's infrastructure plan commits $2 billion to targeted road improvements, and this investment is already translating into real work on the ground. Better roads mean better outcomes for freight, mining, tourism, and local residents."
Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour added: "Sealing these roads will bring more economic opportunities to our regions, while also making it easier for remote residents to travel, visit family, and access services in larger hub towns. Delivering for remote communities is my top priority, and I will continue to advocate for remote Territorians in Canberra."
