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Statistics:

• Length: 224 km
• Western Terminus: Stuart Hwy (A1) at Humpty Doo
• Eastern Terminus: Kakadu Hwy (B21) at Jabiru
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route: Humpty Doo & Jabiru

Route Numbering:

• Current: A36

• Former:

General Information:

A36 is a significant link between the Stuart Highway, communities in the Arnhem Land region, Kakadu National Park and mining areas around Jabiru.

The road is undivided rural highway standard and passes through mostly bushland and conservation areas.

The Arnhem Highway was named in 1970 after Arnhem Land through which it was proposed to be built and to which it gives access from Darwin. It was previously known at Mount Bundey Road. The name Arnhem Land has been in existence since the late 1620s and its discovery by the Dutch. Arnhem Land is named after one of the two Dutch ships "Pera" and "Arnhem" which on 26 April 1623 proceeded in company along the south coast of New Guinea. During this part of the journey the skipper of the "Arnhem", Meliszoon, and some of his men lost their lives as a result of an attack by indigenous peoples while they were on land. The second mate of the "Pera", William Joosten van Colster, a young man, was then appointed skipper. The two ships separated. After the separation in the southeast part of the Gulf of Carpentaria on 27 April 1623, Colster made some discoveries on his own account. He discovered the northeastern extremity of Arnhem Land, the Wessel Islands and possibly Groote Eylandt in April-May 1623. 1

History:

• 1969: Arnhem Hwy sealed to all weather standard. 2
• 1970: Arnhem Highway name gazetted. 1
• 1996: Full width sealing completed. 3
• 16 August 2011: Works commenced 1 km west of Mt Bundy Creek on strengthening and lifting the existing roadway. Other works along the route include pavement strengthening at Adelaide River Floodplain from the Adelaide River Bridge east for approx 4 km and upgrades carried out on 12 floodways at various locations between Stuart Highway and Adelaide River. 4
• November 2011: Installation of left turn traffic lights at the intersection of Stuart Highway and Arnhem Highway, plus extension of turning lanes at the intersection. 5
• June 2013: Reduction of the maximum speed limit on a reportedly high-risk stretch of the Arnhem Highway from 130 to 110 km/h. The change was applied to a 61km section of the highway between Lambells Lagoon and Bark Hut Inn. Other speed limit changes were also implemented, such as 80 km/h limits introduced in front of Bark Hut Inn. In front of Corroboree Park, the speed limit was reduced to 100 km/h. The speed limit outside the South Alligator Roadhouse was increased from 80 to 100 km/h. The speed limit remained 130 km/h along the rest of the highway. 6
• 27 October 2014: Construction of guard rails for the Wildman River and Mary River Bridges. 7
• March 2015: Completion of upgrades between the Stuart Highway and Mount Bundy. Works included constructing four overtaking lanes and three truck parking facilities, as well as strengthening and widening nine sections of road. 8

Humpty Doo to Jabiru			Jabiru to Humpty Doo
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Humpty Doo, July 2017. Image © Michael Greenslade			Fred's Pass Road: Corner of Arnhem Hwy (A36) and Fred's Pass Rd at Humpty Doo, July 2017. Image © Michael Greenslade
				Stuart Highway: Arnhem Hwy (A36) at the junction with Stuart Hwy (A1) at Humpty Doo, July 2017. This is the western terminus of A36. Image © Michael Greenslade

1 Northern Territory Government, NT Place Names Register, Arnhem Highway
2 Litchfield Shire Council
3 Northern Territory Treasury
4 Department of Construction and Infrastructure, Media Release, Arnhem Highway Road works, 15 August 2011
5 Northern Territory Government, Media Release, Rural Road Works, Jenkins Road, Stuart Highway and Arnhem Highway
6 Northern Territory Government Newsroom, Media Release, Speed limit changes, 27 June 2013
7 Northern Territory Government Newsroom, Media Release, Guard rails providing safety for motorists, 27 October 2014
8 Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, Media Releases, Progress on Northern Territory roads driving forward, 27 March 2015

Last updated: 30-Dec-2018 15:14

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