More of the Stuart Highway now open speed limited

NT DRIVERS will be able to put the pedal to the metal along a longer stretch of the Stuart Highway after the Government made a further 60km open speed limited

Open speed limits have been extended to a total of 300km of the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs. Picture Supplied

NT DRIVERS will be able to put the pedal to the metal along a longer stretch of the Stuart Highway after the Government made a further 60km open speed limited on Thursday.

The open speed limit stretch of road now extends to Ali Curung, Chief Minister Adam Giles said Thursday night.

“Pretty much between Alice Springs and Ali Curung now you will be able to see open speed limits,” Mr Giles said.

The additional 60km of road brings the total unlimited stretch to 300km.

Upgrades were undertaken to ensure the road was up to scratch before people were allowed to drive at unrestricted speeds.

Works took five months to complete and cost $3.1 million.

“Not only are we widening and strengthening the road we’re improving things such as righting the dips in the roads and putting better signage on the roads and that’s [making it] safer for all drivers,” Mr Giles said.

The government has plans to extend the open limit along more of the highway.

Mr Giles said the idea was to see the open road extend as far north as Katherine.

The open speed limit on selected parts of the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs was reintroduced back in 2014 as a trial.

It has been expanded three times since it was introduced.