Jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments, the construction of an overpass at the intersection of Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road in Darwin will support about 450 jobs at the peak of construction with 150 on site at any one time.

Nearly 20,000 vehicles travel on Tiger Brennan Drive each day and the busy intersection has been the scene of serious crashes and, tragically, some fatalities.

Territory born-and-bred business Sitzler has been awarded the $127.8 million contract to design and construct the overpass.

Sitzler’s project manager Bill Phillips says the Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass project is an “exciting piece of infrastructure” for the Territory.

“Sitzler are extremely proud to be delivering this project – it is the largest road and bridge civil construction project in the urban surrounds.”

He says the project creates an opportunity for engaging and further developing a strong local workforce with a focus on Indigenous employees, gender diversity and internal development of existing staff.

“We have an incredibly professional team that goes above and beyond to ensure the best outcome for the project and stakeholders.”

Sitzler has got cracking on the job – work already completed includes the removal of 10,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil; stripping and stockpiling of topsoil for reuse in landscaping works; and establishment of erosion and sediment controls.

Activities on site will quickly ramp up in the coming months with electrical, sewer and communications service relocation works commencing and bulk earthworks transforming the site in readiness for drainage installation and piling for the bridge.

Meanwhile, local suppliers will begin manufacturing the bridge girders/ beams and other precast products in readiness for installation during the 2023 dry season.

The new overpass will separate the major flow of vehicles on Tiger Brennan Drive from the traffic on Berrimah Road.

It will also enable the continuous flow of traffic along Tiger Brennan Drive – reducing delays during peak hours, leading to shorter travel times and improving connectivity for freight transport to East Arm Wharf.

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 for road trains;

• earthworks, drainage works, pavement construction and asphalt works;

• street lighting, line marking and road safety barriers;

• traffic signals on Berrimah Road only; and

• improved pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, landscaping and urban design.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics’ Project Director Chris Pick says the department has worked with Sitzler over the past 12 months to develop a design that will result in better safety outcomes for Territorians.

“We engaged with industry early on in the project to make sure the design meets their needs and expectations now and into the future.

“As a key connector between Darwin CBD and Palmerston, careful consideration has been given to minimising impacts on road users while the overpass is built.”

A fly-through of the overpass design has been released showing what the completed project will look like, as well as a driver’s perspective of the new route.

For more information and to view the fly-through, visit dipl.nt.gov.au/tbd-overpass