Significant road project comes to an end in Maningrida

The second stage of the $4.3 million development of Malala Road in Maningrida was completed in September, drawing the major project to a close.

This has been a significant project for West Arnhem Regional Council with City Earth Moving carrying out the redevelopment in two stages, commencing in July 2022. 

Stage 1 took place between July 2022 - October 2022, followed by stage 2 from June 2023 - September 2023.

Malala Road is the main arterial road made up of a series of side or collector roads and drainage networks that connect from the Barge Landing to the top of Airport Road, and links the residential township, community and medical centres, shops, schools and other organisations.

The road is used by the local community, tour operators, visitors and recently an influx of contractors undertaking major projects throughout Maningrida, which has seen an increase in heavy machinery and equipment being operated along the road and transported to the barge landing.

The upgrades consisted of road construction to establish a new raised up pavement subgrade, and the width and alignment altered to provide adequate levels to rectify the current drainage problem areas and improve the stormwater flow. The installation of new concrete box culverts with headwalls and rock protection dramatically minimised scouring and erosion to the road pavement and provides constant flow of water.

The road is constructed at 8 metres wide and a 2 coat bitumen prime and seal overlay with kerb and channel on the road, this will also help protect and reduce the road edges and pavement from possible deterioration. Line marking and road furniture is incorporated into the finished road project.

The construction of the new road and drainage system will dramatically improve the road safety condition of all users in the community, withstand the high level of vehicle road users, provide all weather protection and improve the longevity of the road pavement.

Previously, the road alignment was around 1.4 kilometres long, varying in width to around 6 metres wide, constructed of asphalt overlay with no kerb and channel either side.

In the last several years, the combination of these major projects and with no major funding to improve the road and infrastructure, has seen the road deteriorate considerably as it struggles to sustain such an increase in heavy mass vehicle loads and traffic users.

The road drainage system along Malala Road consists of table drains and swales connected through a series of pipes and culverts. Most of the existing drains were silted up through poor maintenance and were never constructed to an appropriate industry standard for the remote conditions. The existing concrete culverts had major cracks in the headwalls and missing concrete floor aprons attributed through poor pavement compaction and preparation which indicates that the road surface is starting to displace and move.

West Arnhem Regional Council wishes to thank those involved and the community for their patience during the road works.

Council also wishes to acknowledge the support of the following funding bodies: Black Spot, R2R, LRCI and DIPL.