Highlands Highway

Closure of Highlands Highway affecting businesses

Chief Executive Officer Sarah Shelley told Loop PNG this morning that businesses have already been affected by the closure of the Highway.

She said the Government’s neglect of the Highlands Highway is now taking its toll during this year’s wet season.

“The closure of the Highway will affect everyone - from fuel delivery and services.

“Primary produces will have delays in the number of their bulk fresh produce to markets in Morobe and manufactures will also see a delay in delivery of goods.”

Works Department assures Lae commuters

“Emergency bridge to restore temporary access is 85 percent complete. Should be open by this afternoon then work on the permanent (bridge will start),” Wereh told Loop PNG.   

However, Wereh did not give the cost of the emergency and permanent bridges to be built at 11-Mile outside of Lae City, following the previous one being washed away yesterday morning.    

Flood removed the culvert in the road, resulting in vehicles being stranded on either side of the Highway which connects Lae City to Nadzab Airport, Madang and the populous Highlands Region.

Hundreds still stranded at washed away bridge

Yesterday and today have been chaotic for commuters traveling on the road that links the Highlands Highway into Lae.

And with the Morobe show in Lae this weekend (Oct 15-16), many travelling into the city with goods to sell at the show are hoping to make it in time.

Over 20000 commuters have been at the washed away two-lane bridge since early yesterday morning.

Leo Wafiwa, a former lecturer and strand leader of the UPNG journalism strand, was one of those who spent the night on the Highlands Highway side of the road.

PMV commuters stranded in Lae

Eriku's Highlands bus-stop in Lae had families and city workers stranded on Christmas eve as early as 2pm for the "Tulait-Tulait" night ride.

Buses started leaving early during the day with no more Mt Hagen-bound PMVs visible at the bus-stop when PNG Loop visited there at 3pm  yesterday.