WORK has started again after 11 years to re-open the Tapini Highway which links the remote Kuni and Goilala areas in the Central province with Port Moresby.
The project involves a new 1.5km bypass and repairs to five bridges.
It is being initiated by Goilala MP Mathew Poia who is using K1 million from funds allocated by the National Government.
He hopes that Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi will also contribute to the project “as 81km of road and three bridges run through his electorate”.
He said that when completed, the road would only be accessible to 4x4 vehicles.
“It will at least ensure that the people in the areas will have access to health, educational and other services as well as to economic activities,” he told The National.
He added he would later seek outside funding to improve the road for all-weather conditions.
He said he would use K4 million from his discretion funds to improve the Woitape-Baina road and seek donor funding to rebuild other road networks in Goilala.
Omone villager Joachim Ongobu said he had allowed the bypass to be built on his land for the sake of public welfare and would seek compensation payment later.
The highway was built in the 1980s and closed in 1997 due to lack of maintenance.