Sea wall completed

 AN Australian-funded project to build a sea wall alongside the road from Momote Airport to Lorengau on Manus Island has been completed.

The new wall will help prevent erosion and flood damage caused by waves and high tides and facilitates all weather access.

Australia’s deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Bronte Moules welcomed the completion of the project and emphasised the benefits of improved road access for the local community.

“The roads and bridges between Momote Airport and the market in Lorengau are a crucial economic link for Manus,” Moules said. 

Department of Works Secretary David Wereh who was delighted with the progress of the project, said such major investment in the sustainability of the roads in Manus was much needed. 

“The new seawall is protecting a vital part of the province’s infrastructure that is a key for access of services and economic growth,” Wereh said. 

“It is pleasing to see how the project has been designed to take account of the local conditions of the weather.”

The new seawall consists of around 3600 cubic metres of large rocks and is over 500 metres long. 

It has now been built in sections where the road is particularly vulnerable to the impact of the sea.

The level of the road has also been raised to reduce the risk of coastal flooding. 

When the road is flooded ,it can cause serious damage to the road surface and its underlying structure, increasing the cost of maintenance and making the road less safe. The construction of this sea wall forms part of Australia’s ongoing project to upgrade and reseal the road from Momote Airport to Lorengau town in the province.