Collapsed bypass stops traffic

By ZACHERY PER
TRAFFIC flow along the Golouka Creek section of the Highlands Highway outside Goroka remains cut off after a temporary bypass collapsed.
Vehicles are now using the Nagamiufa-Kama Ring Road along which there were many illegal road blocks.
Every passing vehicle was charged from K2 to K10 by locals starting from Marasin Bridge to Brick House Junction.
Heavy trucks carrying supplies to resource projects in Highlands remain stranded in Goroka.
Asariyufa landowners and locals living near the landslide-affected section are supporting road contractors.
Spokesman Ivan Gore corrected earlier reports that wrongly identified the affected section as Okiyufa Creek.
“The name Goroka is derived from Golouka, which is the local name of the creek that is now cut off,” he said.
Works’ public relations officer Simon Steven said work on the temporary bypass should be completed by today to allow light vehicles through.
He thanked locals for understanding the situation and not creating problems for contractors and Works employees.
A concerned youth leader in Goroka, Peter Kelaga, called on the national Government to take a serious approach to the maintenance of the Highlands Highway.