Lae project nears end

WORK on the first phase of the four-lane Lae-Nadzab Road in Morobe is scheduled to be  completed within the next three months, according to the contractor China Railway International (CRI).
CRI deputy general manager Tony Mu told The National this week that work was progressing well and within scope.
Construction on the K540 million four-lane road started in June 2014.
The 45km road was divided into two phases – the first phase from Bugandi to Bulolo-9-Mile junction and the second from 9-Mile junction to Nadzab Airport.
Mu said there was a small section of the 2-Mile and Bugandi area that needed to be attended to before work was completed on the first phase.
The company had installed street lights, drainage, crossings, road signs, bus stops and sealed the road from 9-Mile to 3-Mile.
Vehicles are using only one side of the road that has been partly completed and opened for traffic.
“We are doing good (with the first phase),” Mu said.
“It will take us two-three months to complete the work.
“I do not want to comment much but wait until all the work is completed then we can talk.”
Mu said the Department of Works was closely following work progress.
Morobe Governor Kelly Naru said the construction work looked good but with the current financial and political situation of the country, he was concerned whether the project would be completed on time and within budget.