Major milestones reached on $165m Tiger Brennan Dr & Berrimah Rd overpass

The delivery of the Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road intersection overpass is progressing well as the project reaches a major milestone with 19 of 38 girders for the bridge deck already lifted on to place. 

This new milestone builds on the beginning of phase two of the project that involves the demolition of existing road infrastructure and construction of high fill embankments, installation of major culverts, pavement and street lighting. 

“The bridge girders are a great visual of the project’s magnitude with the bridge abutments inscribed with artwork by local Larrakia artists Lorraine Williams and Natalie Quall. Each abutment retaining wall features 26 precast concrete panels with the largest panel standing 8 metres high and weighing 11.6 tonnes. 

“The Territory Labor Government is improving road safety for all Territorians, by separating the major flow of traffic on Tiger Brennan Drive from the traffic on Berrimah Road through the Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass project,” Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Joel Bowden said. 

Due to the scale of the project, some road closures and detours will be observed for the majority of the construction stage. The second phase of construction will see Berrimah Road from Wishart Road to Tiger Brennan Drive closed to traffic and detours will be put in place. Meanwhile, vehicles travelling between Darwin and Palmerston can continue moving along Tiger Brennan Drive as normal. 

Critical upgrades to the Tiger Brennan Drive and Wishart/Kirkland intersection of Tiger Brennan Drive will be carried out to prepare for the closure of Berrimah Road south. 

The $165 million Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road intersection overpass project is jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, and is being built by local company Sitzler. 

“Sitzler is extremely proud to be delivering this significant project for the Territory and it is fantastic to reach another milestone with the installation of the bridge girders and commencement of phase two works. 

“The substantial project is bolstering jobs and providing legacy experiences for companies and individuals alike, with over 180 local businesses already involved and more than 800 workers, including 110 indigenous workers and 40 apprentices and trainees,” Sitzler Project Director Rod Jeffrey said. 

Project alignment (source: NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics)

The project includes: 

• A grade separation that will see Berrimah Road passing over Tiger Brennan Drive 
• Realignment of Tiger Brennan Drive to become free flowing 
• Entry and exit ramps connecting Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road 
• Improvements to Berrimah Road catering to requirements for road trains 
• Earthworks, drainage works, pavement construction and asphalt works 
• Street lighting, linemarking and road safety barriers 
• Traffic signals on Berrimah Road only 
• Improved pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, landscaping and urban design 

Once completed, the overpass will separate the major traffic flow on Tiger Brennan Drive from traffic movements on Berrimah Road by enabling a continuous flow of traffic and road safety. The project will also help improve traffic flow and connectivity for freight trains that are heading to East Arm Wharf. 

Traffic will transition in stages on to the new Tiger Brennan Drive alignment upon the completion of the road bridge, ensuring the safe passage of vehicles under the overpass. 

Major construction on the project commenced in November 2022. The Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass is due to be completed by the end of 2024. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Northern Territory Government – Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics; Roads & Infrastructure Australia