The Territory Labor Government is constructing a new two-lane sealed road and a new 45 metre span bridge on Port Keats Road over Saddle Rail Creek.

Works will begin this month on the upgrades of 11.7km worth of Port Keats road – improving the critical connection between West Daly and Victoria Daly communities including Nauiyu, Peppimenati, Nganmarriyanga, and Wadeye and back to Darwin.

Local business Alan Kings & Sons Construction Pty Ltd has won the tender for the works, supporting 50 Territory jobs.

On average, this section of Port Keats Road experiences 3-4 months of annual closures due to flooding.

The new bridge and raised, sealed section of road will reduce the closures to three to five days each year, significantly boosting accessibility to these remote Territory communities.

This project is jointly funded by the Northern Territory Government in partnership with the Australian Government as part of the Roads of Significant Importance Program.

As stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack:

“Safer roads save lives. This project is all part of the Federal Government’s Roads of Significant Importance Program – getting Australians to where they need to be sooner and safer.

“Many key industries will benefit from these upgrades to Port Keats Road and Saddle Rail Creek. This important corridor will support primary producers by providing more reliable links throughout the region.”

As stated by the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler:

“These upgrades to Ports Keats road will improve an important connection for our local communities, industry, transport operators and tourists.

“Supporting local business and creating jobs for Territorians is exactly what the NT needs right now – a Government who delivers projects which support our local economy.”

As stated by the Senator of the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon:

“Wadeye (Port Keats), is one of Australia’s largest remote Indigenous communities. The population of over 2000 is largely cut off from the rest of the Territory for four to six months of the year so these upgrades are vital for the community’s safety, health and economy.”