Tiger Brennan Dr & Berrimah Rd overpass project is progressing well towards completion

The Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass project in the Northern Territory is progressing well towards completion as it marks a new milestone with the first of the new lanes now open to traffic. 

The new outbound lanes of Tiger Brennan Drive that head towards Palmerston are now connected to the existing lanes. This allows road users to utilise these lanes, passing under the bridge that will take Berrimah Road over Tiger Brennan Drive. 

The $165 million Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass project is jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments. 

“The latest important step in delivering this major project is more welcome news for those who travel on Tiger Brennan Drive daily. 

“We are working in partnership with the NT Government to deliver the new overpass, which will ease congestion – particularly in peak-period traffic,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

“Today is another major step forward in the Australian and Northern Territory Governments’ joint commitment to improving the Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass. 

“From Tiger Brennan Drive to Tanami, the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring our region has the funding it needs and deserves to improve roads infrastructure – the importance of which cannot be understated, especially for protecting and enhancing the lives of Territorians,” Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling said. 

To date, extensive works have been carried out to build the new lanes for Tiger Brennan Drive. These works include: 

• Site remediation works and ground treatment works 
• Service relocation works for HV power, telecommunications, water and sewer mains 
• Extensive bulk earthworks to create the new alignment of Tiger Brennan Drive along with high fills for elevated Berrimah Road and the new on and off ramps 
• Installation of major drainage culverts and creation of stormwater detention ponds 
• Construction of road pavements 
• Installation of street lighting 
• Construction of the bridge 

Local company Sitzler was appointed as the main contractor for the project, which is also supporting a host of local subcontractors and suppliers. 

More than 180 local businesses have been involved in the project along with over 1,200 workers – including 139 indigenous workers and 27 apprentices and trainees. 

“This is a landmark project which will positively impact 20,000 Territory road users each and every day. 

“Projects like this support Territorians in work and supports a pipeline of local businesses. This milestone is the first of many,” Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler said. 

The new overpass will separate the major flow of traffic on Tiger Brennan Drive from the traffic movements on Berrimah Road, enabling a continuous flow of traffic and improving safety. 

The new Tiger Brennan Drive city-bound carriageway and tie-in to the existing lanes are expected to open to traffic in June of this year. 

The overall Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass project is due to be completed at the end of 2024. 

“Tiger Brennan Drive is a key arterial Territory road that supports industry and gets the Territory working. 

“This project also improved road safety by separating opposing traffic, the project will also provide an economic boost by improving traffic flow and connectivity for freight road trains heading to East Arm Wharf,” NT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Joel Bowden said. 

“The recent flooding has shown vital our road networks are, especially with food supplies to Territory families. 

“The Albanese Labor Government is focussing on the bush as well as cities like Darwin, where road congestion and heavy vehicle traffic requires investment,” Senator for the Northern Territory Malarndirri McCarthy said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Northern Territory Government – Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics; Infrastructure Magazine