26 Upcoming Mega Projects in Australia 2024

26 Upcoming Mega Projects in Australia 2024

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the most exciting and ambitious projects set to take place in Australia in the near future. From major infrastructure developments to railway projects, these Upcoming Mega Projects in Australia represent the cutting edge of technology and innovation in the country. These projects are set to have a significant impact on the economy and the lives of Australians. Join us as we explore each project in detail, delving into the challenges and opportunities they present, and the impact they will have on the nation’s future.

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Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail

The Inland Rail project is a massive infrastructure undertaking that aims to connect Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, completing the national freight network. The 1,700km rail project is set to bring significant benefits to the country by connecting businesses, manufacturers, and producers to national and global markets, creating new opportunities and boosting economic growth.

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Inland Rail will improve freight delivery, making it faster and more reliable for the growing population. Additionally, it will help to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions, making it safer for the communities. Construction of the project began in 2018 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027. However, this is an indicative estimate and may change based on factors such as community consultation, design development, and unforeseen weather events. The Australian Government is delivering the project through the Australian Rail Track Corporation in partnership with the private sector, at a cost of A$14.5 billion.

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Outback Way

The Outback Way is a 2,720 kilometre route that connects Laverton in Western Australia with Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The McGowan Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to seal the remainder of this route, as part of a $678 million project aimed at creating a new strategic transport and tourism route with the Eastern States.

The Federal Government has allocated $400 million to complete the 872 kilometre seal through Western Australia, with the McGowan Government committing a further $100 million towards the project. The remaining funding will be used to seal the road in the Northern Territory and Queensland. The State Government proposed this joint funding arrangement to the Federal Government last year, with the aim of completing the sealing of the Western Australian section of the highway by 2030.

The Outback Way is critical in providing access to remote Aboriginal communities, and the sealing of the road will improve access to health and other services, while also opening up rich mineral deposits east of Laverton. The project will also create a new road link to the Eastern States, providing a new freight and tourism route. Additionally, the project is providing ongoing employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal people.

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Parramata Light Rail

The Parramatta Light Rail is a major infrastructure project being delivered by the NSW Government in Sydney to serve the growing population. The light rail system will create new communities, connect existing places and make it easier for both locals and visitors to move around and explore the region. By 2023, around 28,000 people are expected to use the Parramatta Light Rail every day, and an estimated 130,000 people will live within walking distance of the light rail stops.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, is a two-way track spanning 12 kilometers, connecting Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, it is expected to open in 2024. It will revolutionize the way workers, residents, and visitors move around the Parramatta area, linking Parramatta’s CBD and train station to various locations including Westmead/Cumberland Precincts, Camellia Town Centre, Telopea, Bankwest Stadium, new Powerhouse Museum, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses.

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On the other hand, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, is in the planning phase, The NSW Government has committed $50 million from its 2021/2022 budget to the Phase 2 planning of the project. The preferred route for this stage of the project is connecting the Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park, it will have 10-12 stops over a ten-kilometre two-way track, with travel times of around 25 minutes from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia, and a further eight minutes to Parramatta CBD.

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West Connex

WestConnex is a 33km motorway project initiated by the New South Wales (NSW) state government, aimed at connecting the western suburbs of Sydney with two major international gateways of Australia, the airport and the Port Botany. The project includes the broadening of the M4 motorway east of Parramatta and duplication of the M5 East motorway. Touted as Australia’s biggest ever road project, the $14.9bn project will be executed in three stages, with the first stage beginning in March 2015 and expected to be completed by 2019, and the final stage by 2024.

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The WestConnex roadway is expected to address the issues of congestion and delays caused by growth in heavy vehicle movements between western Sydney and the Port Botany-Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. The population and employment along the M5 and M4 corridors are anticipated to grow exponentially, and the movement of freight and passengers at Port Botany-Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is also expected to double in the next 20 years. The roadway will streamline traffic movement across Sydney, reducing travel time between Parramatta and Sydney Airport by approximately 40 minutes, and boost economic development in the area. Following the completion of the WestConnex roadway, more than $20bn in economic benefits is expected to be accrued by NSW.

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Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan

The Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) is a 10-year, A$4.1 billion road investment program in Western Sydney, New South Wales. The program is jointly funded by the federal government ($3.3 billion) and the New South Wales state government, and aims to improve key road upgrade projects in Western Sydney, particularly in the south west surrounding the future Western Sydney Airport. The funding is split among several projects, including the Northern Road Upgrade, Bringelly Road upgrade, M12 Motorway, Werrington Arterial Road, Glenbrook Intersection at Ross Street, and Local Roads Package.

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The Bringelly Road upgrade was the first to commence construction in January 2015 and will be the first to be completed. The last project to be completed will be the M12 Motorway, which is set to be completed prior to the completion of the new airport in 2026. The WSIP aims to improve infrastructure in Western Sydney and will take place over 10 years. The program is expected to significantly reduce travel times, improve road safety and support economic growth in the region.

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Princes Highway Upgrade

The Princes Highway is a vital link that connects Sydney to the Illawarra Region, the NSW South Coast, and all the way down to the Victorian border. It plays a crucial role in providing connections between towns and regional centers, and serves as an important freight link. In recent years, the Australian and NSW governments have invested heavily in upgrading the highway to provide safer and more reliable journeys.

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Between 2011 and 2019, the two governments invested $2.9 billion in upgrading the Princes Highway. The focus has now shifted to the future, with the Australian and NSW Governments committing $2.25 billion since 2019 to upgrade the highway between the south of Nowra and the Victorian border. Planning for priority projects, such as the Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade, Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet Road upgrade, Milton Ulladulla bypass, Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay upgrade and Moruya bypass, is currently in progress.

Construction for the Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade is expected to commence by the end of this year, with early work transitioning to major work in 2023. It is expected to take around three years to complete, weather permitting. These upgrades will not only improve the safety and reliability of the highway, but also support economic growth in the region.

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Port Botany Rail Line Duplication

Nowra Bridge Project

The Nowra Bridge project is an exciting development aimed at easing congestion on the Pacific Highway. The project includes the construction of a new four-lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra. The new bridge will be dedicated to northbound traffic, while the current southbound bridge, which was built in 1881, will be converted into a pedestrian and cycleway. The current three-lane northbound bridge will be converted into southbound traffic only.

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The preferred option report for the project was released for consultation in February 2018. After considering six possible options, the preferred option was chosen as a new four-lane bridge with grade intersection upgrades. The new bridge will be located west of the existing bridges, and the intersection upgrades will include improvements to the Illaroo Road intersection, the Bridge Road intersection with the removal of access to Pleasant Way and a new Pleasant Way intersection further to the south, and additional lanes on the Princes Hwy between Bolong Road and Bridge Road.

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The expected construction completion date is set for 2024 and construction has been commenced in March 2020. The contract award was given to Design and Construct – Fulton Hogan. The project is funded by the Federal Government and the NSW Government, with a contribution of A$171 million from each.

Melbourne Metro Tunnel

The Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne is a game-changer for the city’s public transportation system. Construction is currently underway to create a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the south east. The project includes bigger and better trains, next-generation signalling technology, and 5 new underground stations. The ultimate goal is to increase capacity on the network to enable more than a half a million additional passengers per week to use the rail system during peak periods.

The project scope includes twin 9km rail tunnels, 5 new underground stations, high-capacity signalling to enable more frequent services, a train/tram interchange, upgrades on other suburban rail lines, and safety features such as platform screen doors. The Metro Tunnel is on track to be completed by 2025, bringing significant improvements to the city’s public transportation system.

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West gate Tunnel

The West Gate Tunnel, also known as the Western Distributor, is a major infrastructure project currently under construction in Melbourne, Australia. The $10 billion project aims to alleviate congestion on the M1 corridor by linking the West Gate Freeway at Yarraville with the Port of Melbourne and CityLink at Docklands via twin tunnels, a bridge, and an elevated road section. The project is designed to provide a new river crossing as an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and to move trucks out of residential streets in the city’s inner west.

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The tunnel project includes two tunnels with three lanes each that are approximately 4 km long outbound and 2.8 km long inbound, a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River, and an elevated road above Footscray Road. It also includes the widening of the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes between the M80 Ring Road and the West Gate Bridge. The project was initially scheduled for completion in September 2022, but has been delayed until at least 2025 due to issues with contaminated soil disposal. The cost of the project may also be as high as $11.9 billion.

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Melbourne Airport Rail Link

Melbourne Airport Rail, also known as SRL Airport, is a rail link under construction from the Melbourne CBD to Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. The rail link is set to run through the under-construction Metro Tunnel, covering a distance of 27 km from the airport to Town Hall station in the city center with 12 km of new track between the airport and Sunshine station. The link will be a new branch of the Melbourne Metro rail network and will feature High-Capacity Metro Trains at a 10-minute frequency. The project is being delivered by the Victorian state government agency Rail Projects Victoria.

The idea of a rail link to Melbourne Airport has been proposed multiple times in the history of the airport. The main aim of the project is to relieve traffic congestion and create better access to the airport. However, the project may negatively impact businesses such as Transurban and Melbourne Airport, whose revenue from car parking would be reduced. The Victorian government announced its intention to proceed with the link in 2018, with construction starting in 2022 and an estimated completion date of 2029.

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M80 Ring Road Upgrade

The M80 Ring Road Upgrade project aims to upgrade and widen the remaining sections of the M80 Metropolitan Ring Road in Melbourne, Australia. The sections that will be upgraded include the Sunshine Avenue to Calder Freeway, Sydney Road to Edgars Road sections and the Princes Freeway to Western Highway sections. The goal of the project is to reduce congestion by increasing capacity, reduce travel times, and improve safety. The completion of the full upgrade will enable these benefits to be realized across the entire corridor.

The Australian and Victorian governments are both contributing $500 million to fund the project. Construction on the Sunshine Avenue to Calder Freeway section began in March 2016 and was completed in March 2022. Construction on the Sydney Road to Edgars Road section began in October 2019 and was completed in May 2022. The Princess Freeway to the Western Highway section is currently in the planning stage. The project is being funded under the Investment Road and Rail Program and is expected to be completed by 2024 with an estimated project cost of $1 billion.

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North East Link Road

The North East Link is a 26-kilometre toll motorway under construction in Melbourne, Australia. Its main objective is to connect the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough with the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen, and also includes the upgrade of the Eastern Freeway from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road at Nunawading. Additionally, the project features the construction of a new dedicated busway and park-and-ride facilities, providing improved transportation options for commuters.

The project, announced in December 2016, has an estimated cost of $18 billion, making it the most expensive transport project in the history of Victoria. The widening of the Eastern Freeway from nine lanes to 20 in some parts will also make it one of the widest roads in the world. Construction began in late 2020, with a projected completion date of 2027/2028, aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel times for the residents of Melbourne.

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Frankston to Baxtor line

The Frankston to Baxter Rail Upgrade is a project aimed at upgrading the Stony Point Rail Line, which connects Frankston to Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne, Australia. The project will involve the electrification and duplication of 8 kilometers of the rail line from Frankston Station to Baxter Station.

At present, the rail line is a 31-kilometer single-track non-electrified rail line, and only diesel trains operate less frequently between Frankston and Stony Point. With the majority of the Mornington Peninsula’s population located south of Frankston, this requires lengthy bus connections to Frankston for people needing to access Melbourne. The project will enable high-capacity, metropolitan electric trains to operate from Frankston to Baxter, increasing capacity, reducing travel times and improving service reliability for the residents of the Mornington Peninsula.

The Australian Government has committed up to $225 million to the project, and work is being done with the Victorian Government to finalize an implementation timetable. The project is currently in the planning stage.

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Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

The Bruce Highway is a vital transportation corridor in Queensland, Australia, spanning 1,700 kilometers from Brisbane to Cairns. It connects coastal population centers and supports around 58% of Queensland’s population. The highway also plays a crucial role in supporting freight movements between inland production areas and 11 coastal ports and major regional centers. It is also a popular commuter route and tourist corridor.

The Australian Government has committed over $5 billion to improve the Bruce Highway between 2022-23 to 2031-32. The projects include major upgrades and realignments, strengthening and widening works, and a variety of safety and efficiency measures. The goal of these projects is to improve capacity constraints, target poor crash sites, provide additional overtaking lanes, and rest areas and improve flood immunity issues along the length of the highway. These upgrades will enhance the safety and efficiency of the highway, benefiting both commuters and the economy.

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Cross River Rail

Cross River Rail is a major infrastructure project currently under construction in Brisbane, Australia. The project includes the construction of a new rail line that runs beneath the Brisbane River, as well as the redevelopment of several stations in the city’s central business district and along the Beenleigh railway line. The project aims to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity in the city, providing residents with faster and more reliable transportation options.

The underground section of the project, which includes four new stations and twin tunnels, is expected to be completed by 2024. The rail systems and integration of the project into Queensland Rail’s network will also be delivered by a separate alliance. The project is considered a priority by the Queensland Government and is expected to greatly benefit the region’s residents and businesses.

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Brisbane Metro

Brisbane Metro is a cutting-edge public transportation solution that will revolutionize the way residents and visitors move around the city. The high-frequency bus rapid transit system will feature two routes, each servicing the central business district every three minutes during peak times, with the capability to transport up to 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The fleet of 60 electric, bi-articulated buses will be equipped to carry 150 passengers, or 170 in “event” mode, providing a convenient and efficient mode of transportation.

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In conjunction with the Cross River Rail project, Brisbane Metro aims to boost public transport reliability and alleviate traffic congestion. The dedicated busways will link the city to the suburbs, making it easier for people to connect with the places they love. With turn-up-and-go services and 24-hour operation on weekends, this project will provide easy and convenient travel options, linking to bus and train services. Fully funded by the Australian Government, Brisbane Metro will transform the city’s transportation network with new and improved infrastructure and the latest technology.

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Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade is a crucial infrastructure project that aims to improve the capacity and reliability of the North Coast Line, a vital transportation link between the Sunshine Coast and the rest of Queensland. The upgrade includes the duplication of the track between Beerburrum and Beerwah, the expansion of park and ride facilities, and the construction of road overpasses at key intersections.

These upgrades will not only increase the capacity of the rail line for both commuters and freight services, but also significantly reduce travel times and ease pressure on the local road network. Additionally, the project will improve safety outcomes for all users of the rail line. The Australian Government has committed $390 million towards the project, with early works set to commence in 2021 and major construction works begin in 2023. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.

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Metronet

METRONET is an ambitious project that aims to support the growth of the Perth metropolitan region over the next several decades. The program is focused on providing integrated and effective public transportation options to ensure that forecast population-driven increases in travel demand are met.

METRONET comprises a number of projects, including the Bellevue Depot Relocation, Byford Extension, Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal, Forrestfield-Airport Link, Hamilton Street/Wharf Street Grade Separations, High Capacity Signalling, and many more. All of these projects aim to change travel behaviors by decreasing private vehicle use and improving the transport network’s resilience.

Additionally, the projects are expected to improve housing diversity by supporting the growth of vibrant urban centers through integrated transport and land use planning. The Australian Government has committed over $3.7 billion towards the program, and construction of several projects is currently underway.

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Bunbury Outer Ring Road Project

The Bunbury Outer Ring Road is a vital infrastructure project in Western Australia, aimed at addressing the growing congestion and safety issues on key roadways in Bunbury. The project, which includes stages 2 and 3, will connect the existing Ring Road with the Forrest Highway and Bussell Highway, providing a seamless connection for local, tourist, and freight traffic. Additionally, the project will improve access to the Bunbury Port for road freight, increasing efficiency and network reliability.

The Australian Government has committed a significant amount of funding towards the project, with a budget of $1,252 million. The project is currently underway, with construction commencing in January 2021 and is expected to be completed by late 2024.

The completion of this project will bring a range of benefits to the community, including improved road safety, reduced congestion, and improved travel times. Additionally, it will also improve connectivity between people, jobs, services, and goods in the region.

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Great Northern Highway Bindoon Bypass

The Great Northern Highway – Bindoon Bypass project is set to revolutionize transportation in Western Australia. The project aims to upgrade the Great Northern Highway from Wubin to Muchea, providing a 66 km long link that includes construction of 61.6 km of new highway and 4.4 km of improvements to the existing Great Northern Highway. This will enable access by triple road trains to travel within 58 km of Perth, significantly improving freight efficiency and connectivity.

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Not only will this project improve transportation for commercial vehicles, but it will also enhance road safety and reduce congestion for all road users. The Australian government has committed $220 million towards the $275 million projec. Construction of the project has begun in early 2021 and is expected to be completed by late 2026. This project represents a major step forward in improving transportation infrastructure in Western Australia.

Tonkin Highway Gap

The Tonkin Highway Gap project aims to address the issue of inadequate infrastructure and service levels between Gateway WA and Northlink WA by upgrading the section of the Tonkin Highway between Collier Road and the Great Eastern Highway.

The project includes several key upgrades such as additional traffic lanes, new bridges over the Swan River, Guildford Road, and the Midland Line railway, upgrades to interchanges, and a new shared pedestrian and cycle path with bridges and underpasses.

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The project is expected to be completed in 2024, with construction commencing in January 2021. The Federal Government has committed A$232 million towards the project and the WA Government has committed A$58 million. The procurement agency for this project is Main Roads Western Australia.

Port Augusta to Perth Corridor

The Port Augusta to Perth corridor is a vital link for the transportation of goods and services between South Australia and Western Australia. The 2,388km long route, which comprises of the Eyre Highway, Great Eastern Highway, and Coolgardie-Esperance Highways, is set to undergo major upgrades to improve the flow of vehicles and increase access for higher efficiency heavy vehicles. The project will include targeted improvements such as widening, strengthening, and realignment of various sections of the corridor.

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The WA section of the corridor will see upgrades to the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway and the Great Eastern Highway, specifically at Emu Rocks and Walgoolan Southern Cross and Coates Gully. These projects will not only improve road safety but also increase freight efficiency and connectivity. Additionally, it will ensure consistent Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) ratings across the network, providing improved access for agricultural and mining regions to transport hubs.

The Australian Government has committed $74 million towards the WA section of the corridor and construction is expected to be completed by early 2024.

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Adelaide North South Corridor

The North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington project is a major infrastructure initiative that aims to complete the final 10.5km of Adelaide’s North-South Corridor, running from the River Torrens in the north to Darlington in the south. The proposed motorway will include two sets of twin three-lane tunnels, connected by an open motorway, and realignment of South Road in the immediate vicinity. Once completed, the North-South Corridor will be 78km long, stretching from Gawler in the north to Old Noarlunga in the south.

The project is expected to bring several benefits to the community, including reduced congestion, improved travel times, increased safety for all road users, and improved efficiency and network reliability. The Australian Government and the SA Government are funding the project on a 50:50 ratio. Construction is expected to commence in late 2024 and be completed by late 2031. The completion of this project will bring an enormous improvement in the transportation scenario of Adelaide.

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Joy Baluch Bridge Upgrade

The Joy Baluch AM Bridge project is a transportation infrastructure initiative that aims to improve the connectivity and reliability of the bridge for the local community, tourists, and freight vehicles. The project involves the duplication of the existing two-lane Joy Baluch AM bridge, as well as widening the approach roads to allow for two lanes in both directions between Mackay Street (south of the bridge) and Burgoyne Street (north of the bridge). Additionally, the project also includes the removal of the Great Western Bridge.

The project is expected to bring several benefits to the community, including increased passenger and vehicle safety, improved travel times, safer overtaking opportunities, and more efficient and reliable travel. The Australian Government and the SA Government are funding the project on an 80:20 ratio. Construction on the project began in October 2020 and is expected to be completed by late 2024. The completion of this project will greatly benefit the people of the area by providing a much safer and efficient means of transportation.

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Central Arnhem Road Upgrade

The Central Arnhem Road Upgrade is a major infrastructure project that aims to improve the key link road connecting Katherine to Nhulunbuy via the Stuart Highway. The route links Nhulunbuy to the National Network, services a large number of Indigenous communities, and is a key tourism drive and freight route for the mining and pastoral industries.

The project will involve sealing, reconstructing, widening, and flood immunity improvements to priority sections of the route to a fit-for-purpose standard. Early works cover planning and investigations to prioritize sections of the road for a rolling series of upgrades over coming years. The proposed early works packages aim to upgrade high-priority sections of the road, including chainages 59.8-66.0km near Beswick and 363.6-377.0km around the Goyder River.

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The Central Arnhem Road Upgrade is expected to bring several benefits to the community, including improved freight efficiency, connectivity and travel time, increased safety, and support for regional and local economic development. The Australian Government has committed up to $180 million towards this $225 million project. Construction on early works at Beswick and Goyder commenced in October 2020 and completed in December 2021. Planning works for further upgrades are ongoing and the project is currently under construction. It is expected that the project will be completed by year 2030.

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