Road in Lae finally ready for use after paved with concrete

THE stretch of road on Independence Drive from the University of Technology (Unitech) to Telikom Junction in Lae will now allow road users a smoother ride after the completion of comprehensive improvements.
Neglected for the best part of 20 years, the road was paved with concrete and re-opened last Thursday.
Minister for Works Michael Nali, Lae MP and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso, Education Minister Jimmy Uguro and Works secretary David Wereh were on hand to officiate at the event.
Rosso said the section of the road was basically a low-lying area which was prone to flooding in times of heavy and prolonged rain, causing potholes and other damage and the rebuilt section would now be able to withstand the weather and other local conditions.
Rosso said the road had been initially set for re-sealing with two layers of asphalt, however, taking into account the specific condition of the area the plan was changed have the road paved with concrete instead.
Rosso said he was pleased that the road was finally improved adequately, ensuring that it would not deteriorate as it had over the years after other previous maintenance efforts.
He also urged the community and road users to look after the road.
Rossa said Lae city needed about K200 million to rehabilitate its roads and he was liaising with the Department of Works to realise this however this would all be dependent on getting the funding from the national government.
Rosso thanked the Works minister and secretary for their support so far in getting Lae’s roads sealed and upgraded.
He said the next road rehabilitation project which was slated to start later this month would be from Bumbu to Malahang and would continue up to Busu Bridge.