Shorncliffe introduces pothole patcher for Lae

 By ELLEN TIAMU

ROAD construction firm Shorncliffe is introducing a pothole patching machine that could see Lae lose its “pothole city” title. 

At a demonstration for civil engineers and works division officials recently, the impressive all-in-one jet patcher was used to patch selected potholes along the busy Air Corps Road.

The ready-mix bitumen substances are ferried on the truck, the jet patcher, to where work will be carried out.

The whole process – application, waiting for mix to set and when it can be used – takes about 30 minutes according to Shorncliffe, the patch can last up to five years.  

The machine arrived in Lae from New Zealand last week.

 There is another one in Port Moresby.

With the company contracted to maintain the Highlands Highway – from Lae Port to Yang Creek on the border of Morobe and Eastern Highlands – over the next three years, the jet patcher was brought in specifically to work on the 170km road.  

Officials were excited at the prospects of the machine, saying it would make road maintenance easier, quicker and longer lasting.