The Northern Territory Government has announced an additional $60 million in funding in the 2026/27 State Budget.
The funding will accelerate upgrades across the NT road network, including rebuilding and strengthening roads, shoulder widening, asphalt resurfacing and replacing ageing culverts.
A key focus of the program is targeted upgrades in the Coolalinga precinct, designed to improve safety, ease congestion and unlock growth opportunities across the rural area.
The project also includes the recently announced $30.5 million rapid roads repair package to restore infrastructure damaged during recent severe weather events.
NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan, said the additional funding will improve safety, extend the life of the state’s road network and ensure it continues to support economic growth and connectivity.
“Territorians have endured one of the toughest wet seasons on record and this announcement will fast tracking damage repair, delivering the safer roads thousands of motorists rely on every day,” he said.
The 2026-27 program includes:
- $30.5 million for fast-tracked urgent road repairs following severe weather;
- $5 million towards Coolalinga Road Safety Upgrades (part of a $26.47 million joint project with the Australian Government);
- $5 million for resurfacing on McMillans Road;
- $4 million for Cox Peninsula Road pavement rehabilitation; and
- $1 million for culvert replacements across the network.
Stages One and Two of the Coolalinga Road Safety Upgrades will deliver practical, on-the-ground improvements to how traffic moves through the area.
The works will create alternative routes, improve key intersections and strengthen connections between commercial centres on either side of the Stuart Highway.
These upgrades are expected to reduce crash risks and improve safety for all road users, take pressure off the Stuart Highway by providing better local road connections, and improve traffic flow and travel reliability for local residents and businesses.
Yan said the Coolalinga upgrades are about fixing longstanding issues while preparing for future demand.
“This has been a long time coming and the CLP recognises how important it is to improve connectivity between the commercial hubs on either side of the highway and to support current and future rural development,” he said.
“The CLP Government will continue to roll out targeted investments to ensure the Territory’s road network is safer, more resilient, and ready to support communities and industry into the future.”
In other news, MLG has secured a $200M transport contract.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.png){kind=logo}
