McMinn St to reopen late February as Garramilla Boulevard project moves forward

CONSTRUCTION-WEARY commuters may take solace in the latest update on the Garramilla Boulevard project

CONSTRUCTION-WEARY commuters may take solace in the latest update on the Garramilla Boulevard project.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said McMinn Street was expected to reopen to traffic by early February, as construction for the road rolled further into town.

“As we always know, if we have a very monsoonal wet that could change. But the goal is to have McMinn Street open for the start of the busy time when people are back at work in February,” she said.

“The road overall, the time frame is May 2020 but I know Territory Civil are pushing for that date to be compressed as well.”

Ms Lawler said the project was on time and would open up the back areas of the Darwin CBD.

“And also have that traffic flow coming in through the CBD,” she said.

Garramilla Boulevard, which was previously named Barneson Boulevard, faced heated criticism prior to construction.

Ms Lawler said she understood why some had opposed the project initially but hoped that, now it was well underway, detractors could see the benefits of it.

“It will be a great project for the Territory, a great project while it is underway with jobs and a great project when it is completed,” she said.

“I am a born and bred Darwin person and I understand concerns around changes, particularly in this area which has a lot of feelings attached for people.

“But we will make sure that this area is beautified and, when it is completed, that this parkland area will remain.

“Sometimes change happens and we don’t always like that change but that is the reality of the world that we live in.”