Roads to benefit from OCA’s 10-year plan
Copyright 2000 The Independent (PNG)
December 21, 2000
RECENTLY the Office of Civil Aviation launched its 10-year plan which will cost K1 billion to implement during the decade of the program. Summarised below are the rationale for and expected outcomes from these proposed developments:
Kerema and Kikori Road: This new road will comprise part of the strategic national road network through the Gulf road. It will link Port Moresby via the Bereina-Malalaua road in the east, and the Gulf-Southern Highlands road in the west. The road will also act as the principle arterial road within Gulf province.
Highlands Highway: This carries the greatest volume of freight in PNG, and services 40 per cent of the country’s population. The condition of the road has deteriorated through lack of maintenance. The plan is to do upgrade, rehabilitation and restoration of those sections of the road that have deteriorated.
Trans-Island Road: Construction of this road is required to connect the Highlands and Gulf regions as part of the strategic national road network. The road will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion.
Aiambak-Kiunga-Kikori Road: This will comprise part of the strategic border which will link the Sandaun and Western provinces along the border with West Papua in Indonesia. It will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will also act as the principle arterial road between Western and Gulf provinces and also within the Western province.
Mendi Road: The upgrading of this road is part of the strategic national strategy to improve existing roads with the aim of reducing vehicle operating costs, improving road safety and reducing maintenance costs. This road is part of the mineral resource road, and its upgrading will provide an all-weather road with improved surface.
Magi Highway: This will comprise part of the strategic national road network and, as a principle arterial road, will link the Central and Milne Bay provinces. The road will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion.
Border Highway: This will comprise part of the strategic border road which will link Sandaun and Western provinces along the border with West Papua in Indonesia. It will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will also act as the principle arterial road within the border areas.
Coastal Highway (Madang): This will comprise part of the strategic national highway network linking Madang with the other three provinces in the Momase region. This will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion.
Trans Island Road: The upgraded road will comprise part of the national strategic road network and link Oro province in the Southern region and Port Moresby with the Highlands and Momase regions. The road will also support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will act as the principle arterial road within the Morobe province.
Sepik Highway (East Sepik): This will comprise part of the strategic national highway network linking East Sepik with Sandaun province. It will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will further reduce vehicle operating costs, improve road safety and reduce road maintenance costs.
Mope Road: The improvement of this road will reduce vehicle operating costs and travel time, improve road safety as well as reduce maintenance costs. The road is also part of the rehabilitation exercise on Bougainville.
Baiyer Road: The upgrading of this road is part of the national strategy to improve existing roads with the aim of reducing operating costs, improving road safety, as well as providing easy access to government services from the provincial headquarters in Mount Hagen.
New Britain Highway: This will comprise part of the strategic national highway network. It will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will also act as a principle arterial road within the East and West New Britain provinces.
Enga Highway: The upgrading of this road is part of the national strategy to improve existing roads with the aim of reducing vehicle operating costs and travelling time, improving road safety as well as reducing road maintenance costs. This road is also part of a mineral resource road.
Buso-Finschafen Road: This will comprise part of the Lae-Finschafen link that will provide more reliable, convenient and less costly transport for those living on the Huon Peninsula. This will allow easy access to social and other services in Lae.
Madang-Simbai-Ruti Road: This new road will provide an alternative link to the coast for the Highlands region. It will act as a principle arterial road within the Western Highlands and Madang provinces. Further communities within corridors of the road will have easy access to services in Madang.
Hiritano Highway: The upgrading of this road is part of the national strategy to improve existing roads with the aim of reducing vehicle operating costs, improve road safety, reduce road maintenance costs and travelling time to the service centre, particularly in Port Moresby. This section of the highway is part of the link that will eventually connect Port Moresby to Morobe province and the Highlands region.
Coastal Highway (West Sepik): This road will comprise part of the strategic national highway network. It will support national security, promote economic development and national cohesion. It will also act as a principle arterial road within the Momase region.
Wabag - Kandep Road: The upgrading of this road is part of the national strategy to improve existing roads with the aim of reducing vehicle operating costs, improving safety and access to essential government services in Wabag or Mt Hagen, and reducing road maintenance costs.