Concrete wall mooted at POM ‘killer’ freeway corner

National, Normal
Source:

By ALISON ANIS

THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) has proposed erecting road beams and a concrete wall at the notorious “killer” section of the Poreporena Freeway at Konedobu in Port Moresby as a temporary measure to minimise accident deaths.
NRSC chief executive officer Frank Aku said he had already spoken to the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) on the matter and asked for its help in introducing road beams on the two top lanes
and a big concrete wall near the public playing field, to prevent oncoming vehicles from running over pedestrians.
“We have also discussed the possibility of planting trees in the area as one of the temporary measures to reduce the impact from vehicles experiencing break failures while descending the steep road,” Mr Aku said.
He added that the Department of Works and Transport and the NCDC should be tasked with doing this, while the NRSC focuses on continuing its role in educating the public on road safety.
Mr Aku said nothing had been done yet along the section of the road since the last accident, however, he said officers from NCDC and Works were surveying the area and would come up with proposals based on their findings.
“While this is happening, NRSC is carrying out awareness.
“We have distributed copies of pamphlets on drink driving and have gone on radio talkback shows advising vehicle users against careless driving attitudes,” Mr Aku said.
He also called on the Government to increase funding for the council, saying the annual ceiling of K1.5 million was not enough to carry out safety measures to reduce deaths caused by road accidents around the country.
In the meantime, he said, drivers should follow the instructions on the signage along Burns Peak and use low gear, and heavy vehicles users should stick to the left lane when descending the steep hill.