Work on Banab Bridge complete

By DOROTHY MARK
Construction of the collapsed Banab Bridge was completed yesterday in time for opening on Tuesday.
Bridge signage was put up and final backfilling on the Surumarang side of the bridge were done yesterday.
The bridge has been under much controversy after work on its construction was delayed by eight months last year.
Banab Bridge, a vital link along the North Coast Road in Madang, collapsed on Jan 4, 2018, under the weight of a semi-trailer carrying an excavator for a road construction work in Bogia.
Known as SP Bridge, it was constructed in 1962 and there was no maintenance done until the time it collapsed.
Passengers used a bamboo bridge, canoes and dinghies to cross.
JV PNG Investment construction company spent the last three months putting up the bridge.
Director John Bankok said he understood the myriad of problems the people faced while trying to cross the Banab River, and with that in mind, instructed his workforce to put extra efforts to finish the bridge.
“It would carry a maximum weight of 40 tonnes,” he said.
Bogia leader and Iabu LLG president Kenny Boli thanked the Government and JV PNG investment for construction of the bridge.
Boli said the past 12 months was a daily struggle for the people of Madang.
He said it was a relief that they could now drive across the bridge any time.