Work on Bailey bridge across Banab River completed

By DOROTHY MARK
WORK on the Bailey bridge across the Banab River in Madang has been completed – but motorists may have to wait until next week to start using it.
The bridge, a vital link on the North Coast Bogia Highway, was finally connected to the other side of the river yesterday morning.
It collapsed on Jan 4 last year after a truck carrying an excavator was crossing it.
Since then, people had to use canoes and dinghies to cross the river and catch transport on the other side.
The bridge was built in 1962. Madang National Works manager Andrew Kendaura said the steel foundation of the bridge had rusted.
The JV PNG Investment construction company spent the past two months putting in place the bailey bridge.
Company director John Bankok said they were planning to have it ready by next week. “My aim is to have the first car drive across the bridge next week,” Bankok said.
Rocky Diau from the nearby Banab village said the sound of the collapsed bridge woke the whole village. They found half the bridge in the river with the truck and the excavator.