Highway bridges will be replaced: Wereh

BRIDGES along the Highlands Highway between Nadzab in Morobe and Western Highland’s in Mt Hagen will soon be upgraded and replaced to stand weather conditions and boost economic activities, Works and Highways secretary David Wereh says.
Wereh said the project would ensure bridges and roads from that part of the highway met highly reliable safety standards to provide comfort and confidence to the people and commuters and improve business activities.
He said this after Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae approved multi-million Kina contracts for the replacement and maintenance of old bridges and upgrading and sealing of the roads along the highway, in Port Moresby on Thursday.
“It will serve the people from cutting down delays and hold-ups due to bad condition of the roads because this section of the highway is important for business and users as it serves a huge population along the corridor to satisfy socio-economic returns for the country,” he said.
“Once it is improved with reliable road transport system, the returns over the long period will be huge.”
Wereh said the constructors were experienced and had complied and met project requirements and would deliver the project without environmental damage.
He said the projects would be delivered through the 10-year sustainable Highlands Highway investment programme.
He said the contracts for the bridges were funded by the Asian Development Bank while the Government continued to fund major roads projects through the Connect PNG programme.
According to the Government House, the Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd (MCC) was awarded the contract to do construction of bridges between Nadzab, Lae and Henganofi in Eastern Highlands valued at K315,395,676.