Road gives way, halts traffic

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By PISAI GUMAR
TRAFFIC had been disrupted on the highway linking Lae to Madang, Sepik and the Highlands after a section at 11-Mile was washed away last Friday afternoon.
Works Department employees are working on the damaged section to allow traffic through.
Provincial Works department manager Kingsford Kasen was at the section to assess the damage at 4am last Saturday.
He mobilised logistics and assistance from companies to repair the damaged section.
They had been working since last Saturday to build a temporary bridge.
The road collapsed at around 5.30pm after a creek beside the City Mission at 11-Mile burst its banks and washed away a portion of the road.
Commuters travelling to Lae after 6pm to attend the Morobe Agricultural Show could not get through.
Companies operating beyond 12-Mile up to Rumion piggery and Sasiang poultry in Huon Gulf, Nawaeb, Markham and Gusap were affected last weekend.
Vehicles, including heavy trucks from the Highlands transporting coffee and palm oil, were stranded.
Vehicles had to drop off and pick up passengers on either side of the damaged section.
Kasen said plans to build a permanent bridge would be finalised after the floodwaters receded.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil called on the Government to revive the provincial works unit stations on national highways
He said this was to ensure that the roads were maintained at all times to avoid such problems.