Work to proceed after project signing between Govt, contractor

WORK on the road from Yalu Bridge to Nadzab in Morobe will now go ahead following a project signing between the Government and contractor China Railway International.
Works secretary David Wereh told The National that this was the third phase of the Lae-Nadzab road development programme, however, work had been delayed due to funding issues.
He said the cost of the reconstruction and upgrading of the road was about K379 million which included goods and services tax, fully funded by the Government under the Connect Papua New Guinea infrastructure development programme through loan arrangement with the Exim Bank of China.
The funding is for the reconstruction and upgrading of Yalu Bridge to Nadzab Airport turn-off and Yalu Bridge.
“This is the final stage of the Lae-Nadzab section under a five-year programme, but, due to funding issues, we were a bit slow in implementing the entire section from Bugandi round-about all the way to airport junction,” Wereh said.
“We are maintaining the four-lane standards, with footpaths, walkways and proper drainage.
“It also includes four-lane bridge about 90 metres across the Yalu river.
“We are also doing a lot of culvert works and earthworks to give a very high standard four-lane highway.
“It caters for a growing population and a growing demand in traffic along that section.
“There’s a lot of business activities taking place along the corridors of that road, and we’d like to see similar activities taking place in the next phase.
“So this section can become an economic hub for Lae.”
Wereh said this road works would connect well with the Nadzab Airport re-development programme which was currently ongoing.
“It fits in very well, in terms of transport infrastructure development programme,” he said.
Wereh noted that the road works was an ongoing project, together with city roads.
He said these major roads were being made with concrete to ensure they were strong and long lasting.
Wereh said an agreement was in place with contractor China Railway who had worked on the first phase of the Lae-Nadzab road from Bugandi to 9-Mile, from Wau-Bulolo junction to Yalu Bridge and now the final phase.