Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces $53 million infrastructure, road safety investment

THE NT and Commonwealth Governments will splash out $53 million to deliver ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced $53 million in infrastructure funding to deliver critical safety works along three of the Territory’s busiest highways – the Stuart, Barkly and Victoria highways. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE NT and Commonwealth Governments will splash out $53 million to deliver “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced.

Mr Morrison said the investment would help the NT economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” he said.

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“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional infrastructure funding of nearly $190 million across the NT in the past eight months.

“This package builds on the fast tracking of $147 million for infrastructure in the NT which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will increase productivity, improve safety and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the funding would deliver critical safety works along three of the Territory’s busiest highways – the Stuart, Barkly and Victoria – including sealing shoulders and improving or installing guardrails, truck stops and audio-tactile line markings.

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“We will also be widening and sealing shoulders at critical points along Litchfield Park Rd,” he said.

“This is a particularly popular tourist route, so completing these works now will ensure the road is safer for when tourism bounces back in the Territory.”