Kirkland Road blackspot: Government looks at interim measures following fatal accidents

The CLP Government has said they’re exploring “interim measures” to prevent further loss of life on a road that has had three horrific high speed accidents in recent weeks.

Imagery of Kirkland Road. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

With and upgrade and new roundabout on the table for a Top End road that has seen a string of serious high speed crashes in recent weeks, the NT government is exploring further interim measures to better protect motorists.

Kirkland Rd has been the site of a number of serious crashes in May, with two people losing their lives in near identical crashes just days apart.

About 5:10am on May 14, a Nissan X-trail and a Toyota Corolla collided, with a 45-year-old woman losing her life.

Three days later, a 36-year-old man was killed in a similar two vehicle crash at a nearly identical spot.

The site of a crash on Kirkland Rd on May 25. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Last Sunday evening, another serious crash closed the outbound lane for several hours.

A CLP Government spokesperson said there have been “ongoing discussions” with the Department of Infrastructure and Logistics about safety concerns on Kirkland Road, and that Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan had asked the Department to look at interim safety measures.

“This could include reducing speed limits, installing speed cameras or other traffic-calming solutions,” the spokesperson said.

The government said plans to upgrade the intersection of Kirkland Rd and Woodlake Boulevard in Durack are already underway, with the tender for the project closing in March 2025.

Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan (centre) has asked the Department to look at “interim safety measures” to protect users of Kirkland Rd. Picture: Fia Walsh.

“A survey of the site identified several factors contributing to safety issues, including location, driver behaviour and traffic conditions,” a spokesperson said.

“A roundabout has been identified as the preferred solution.

“It will improve traffic flow on Woodlake Boulevard and address key safety concerns.”

Construction on the intersection is expected to begin in the 2026 Dry Season.

Automobile Association of the Northern Territory CEO Simon Matthias called for the government to make public the Australian Road Assessment Program road ratings, saying Territorians “deserve to know how safe their roads are”.

“All states and territories use the Australian Road Assessment Program’s (AusRAP) five-star safety rating system to identify the riskiest and safest roads – but these ratings aren’t made public,” Mr Matthias said.

“They should be.

“Road funding decisions must be based on where investment can save the most lives.”

The lives lost on Territory roads in 2025 currently stands at 16.

Originally published as Kirkland Road blackspot: Government looks at interim measures following fatal accidents