Darwin Region - Hayes Creek - Consultancy - Options Development to Upgrade Stuart Highway

The existing section of Stuart Highway in the surrounds of Hays Creek passes through a mountainous terrain. This results in the Highway having various sections with upward and downward profiles. A particular section crossing Hays Creek (Ch. 172km approx.) has steep gradients for outbound lane which make fully laden heavy vehicles to slow down. To allow othertraffic to pass unimpeded through this section, a passing lane was built in the past. This passing lane ends short at still rising gradient due to physical constraints like rocky outcrops. This arrangement cause slow moving heavy vehicles in the passing lane to merge right at the end of the passing lane with high speed moving vehicles.This planning study will investigate current situation and assess short to long term options including;• Upgrade existing Stuart Highway section by extending passing lane to appropriate length and suitable vertical profile.• Investigate options to realign local or regional subject Stuart Highway section(s)The scope will include concept plans development based on physical,environmental and cultural constraints, cost estimation and preferred optionselection on multi-criteria.