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Tanami Road Upgrade

Developing strategies and partnerships to ensure the continued development of the Tanami Road and Outback Highway to meet current and future needs.

The 702 km Tanami Rd is an important transport corridor linking Alice Springs to the West Australian border via a number of communities, mines and pastoral properties.

The condition of the road has deteriorated progressively due to heavy transport servicing the mines at the western end of the road, unfavourable climatic conditions and the scarcity of good road building materials.

Options have been investigated for upgrading the Tanami Road and a Tanami Road Development Strategy has been prepared. It proposes the sealing of the road as far as the Lajamanu turnoff (approximately 440 km) and upgrading the remaining 79 km section to the WA border to a formed gravelled standard, (at a total estimated cost of $106 million) as the long term service level standard for the road.

Ongoing progressive sealing of the road would reduce the incidence of road closures and weight restrictions which benefiting both the mine and other road users. In the long term, these upgrades will reduce wear and tear on vehicles and eventually reducing freight rates which will encourage further economic development and investment in the region.

How it will happen

  • Focusing short-term efforts on the upgrading of priority sections or “hotspots” which are impacting on accessibility to the mines, remote communities and pastoral properties,
  • Seeking funding contributions from the Australian Government and mining companies to further upgrade sections of the road.

What it will mean

For residents

  • Safe access in all weather conditions.
  • Better access to services.

For business

  • Better access for mining and cattle industry.
  • Opportunities for further development in tourist industry.
  • Opportunities for development along the way – private sector investment.
  • More cost effective for transport companies who use the route with less damage to vehicles.

What we have already done

  • Committed $2 million every year for the past decade to upgrade and seal to highway standard.
  • Maintenance expenditure has been increased on the unsealed section of the highway to maintain at a reasonable standard.
  • Flood damage funds have been allocated as required to open the highway to traffic as soon as possible after flooding.

What will happen next

  • Progressive upgrading over time to sealed standard.
  • Maintenance allocations will be kept in line with needs to keep the unsealed sections of the highway at a reasonable conditions for all road users.

For more information

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