5 December 2004
Flood Studies For Victoria Highway
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Dr Chris Burns MLA
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
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Engineering studies have commenced as the first step towards improving the flood immunity of the Victoria Highway in the vicinity of the Victoria River and its approaches.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Dr Chris Burns said the Territory Government has been lobbying the Commonwealth for three years to address this section of the federally-funded national highway.
“The Victoria Highway has had axle load restrictions imposed or been totally closed for extensive periods due to flooding in each of the last few Wet seasons,” Dr Burns said.
“This is unacceptable on the national highway network.
“These closures and restrictions impose additional costs on industry links with Western Australia and restrict the ability of the pastoral industry in the Victoria River District and East Kimberly to supply live cattle trade through the Port of Darwin.”
Following the completion of hydrology studies earlier this year, the detailed engineering studies have now commenced.
A $92,000 contract has been awarded to the Darwin office of consulting engineers Douglas Partners to undertake geotechnical investigations for bridge foundations for the proposed upgrade works.
Preliminary investigations indicate that four bridges plus extensive embankment works will need to be constructed to improve the flood immunity of the Victoria Highway.
Crossings requiring improvement are at Victoria River, Lost Creek, Sandy Creek and Joe’s Creek.
The Commonwealth has announced this project in the AusLink five-year strategy at $20m.
“Negotiations are continuing with the Commonwealth in regard to funding this project so that physical work can commence in the 2005/06 financial year,” Dr Burns said.