One of the factors that has reportedly led to less grey nomads than normal heading north this year is concern over the state of some roads after particularly heavy wet season rains.
And it seems that, in some parts, that concern is justified.
The ABC reports that the Stuart Highway between Wauchope and Renner Springs has multiple sections of damaged road. The broadcaster says the first hundred kilometres of the Barkly Highway’s western end also has many big holes and long ruts, some covering the entire road width.
And it says the Tablelands Highway is narrow, with steep drop-offs at the edges and frequent, sudden potholes.
Deep potholes can cause a lot of damage to vehicles. PIC: Kam Pratt / Pexels
Gerard Cavenagh, a tourist travelling around the Barkly and Gulf country, told the ABC that the potholes and general state of the road were a safety issue.
“The vehicles themselves are taking a hell of a hit because of wheels going in there, it’s very dangerous,” he said. “You can blow out tyres and suspension … you’ve got to drive the conditions all the time because … it’s pretty slow.”
Mr Cavenagh believes things are so bad that sections of the road needed to be dug up and taken back to the dirt so that proper repairs could be done.
A Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) spokesperson told the ABC that the NT Government was investing $7.4 million to repair flood-damaged sections of the Stuart, Barkly and Tablelands highways.
“It is estimated an additional $25 million will be invested for further repairs across the Barkly region road network,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said five floodways on the Stuart Highway, north and south of Tennant Creek, would be sealed in July, while repair work on the Barkly Highway was expected to continue for several months.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development – which provides 80% of funding for Territory roads, told the ABC that the recent federal budget included $80 million to upgrade priority sections of the Stuart and Barkly highways, including pavement strengthening, widening, resealing and surface correction.
“These works are expected to start soon and be completed by late 2027,” a spokesperson said. “The budget also committed $24 million to upgrade priority sections of the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly Highways to increase resilience to flooding. These upgrades are expected to begin in early 2025 and be completed by late 2028.”
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Why are the road repairs taking so long. Copletion date of 2027 and 2028!
Hey, Bob, a book I once read in 1975 by John Singleton called “Rip van Australia” had a forward that read “Everything the Government touches turns to Shit” seems like nothing has changed in nearly 50 years.
On Barcly Hwy 2 weeks ago. Yes 100km to intersection Stuart Hwy has many potholes. No works going on. However signage very good on every bad section you just had to pay attention, watch the road, slow down to 80 max and at 20-30 maneuver around the holes. Not too hard. Single lanes most of the way with 130km speed limit even when the road is good it’s too narrow no room for error. I hope to never do it again.