Feds pump $31.7 million into making Territory roads safer as 2023’s road toll nearly doubled

More than $30 million has been earmarked by the federal government to improve a number of Territory roads, with works set to take place from the Red Centre to the Top End. Find out more.

Cars and road trains pass a road sign announcing a new speed limit of 130kmh on the Stuart Highway. Picture: Che Chorley

Another $31.7 million is being pumped into making Red Centre and Top End roads safer, as the Territory road toll stands almost double that of 2023.

The Albanese government has earmarked the extra money to upgrade a number of roads throughout the Territory, which will be undertaken in conjunction with the NT government, Indigenous Australians minister Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“These latest Road Safety Program projects support our ongoing vision to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and make them safer for all Territorians,” she said.

The roads, which are in Katherine, Darwin, Tennant Creek, and south of Alice Springs, will get upgrades such as shoulder widening, protected turning lanes at intersections, roadside barriers, rumble strips, and more.

The 10 projects earmarked are set to be completed by June 30, 2026, the federal government assures.

The Northern Territory Government has also put $21.2m towards the upgrades.

NT logistics and infrastructure minister Bill Yan said the upgrades aimed “to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes for everyone … through national best-practice road safety improvements”.

“Any initiative that aims to improve road safety is a good initiative, and we’re committed to working with the Australian Government to deliver these road safety improvements,” he said.

As of Sunday, the Territory’s road toll stood at 59 – nearly double 2023’s total road toll of 31.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the funding would be used to “target sites with the highest risk of crashes”.

“We are acting on the data that shows us the main type of crash on NT roads are run-off road crashes, with this funding to target sites with the highest risk of crashes,” he said.

“My work as Chair of the Northern Territory Black Spot Consultative Panel reinforces how important this data collection is for saving lives.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm said the wider Road Safety Program formed part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to work with state and territory governments to fund the priority road safety works they identify.