By FRANCIS RODNEY PULU
THE National Government is planning to put up weighing stations within the roads and bridges built through the Connect PNG Program, says Works and Highway Minister, Solan Mirisim.
Mirisim said when the Government put in the weighing stations, fees will be collected to maintain the roads and bridges.
“So, these weighing stations are also in progress now so that we will be start implementing the them to collect fees and start putting them down for maintaining the roads while waiting for Government to give us money.
“We also have money coming in. We use this money to do emergency work like for some roads and bridges as disaster can happen anytime,” he said.
Mirisim assured the people of Eastern Highlands and also the other Provinces from the western side of the Highlands Highway that after three years the road conditions of Highlands Highway will come to a standard.
“After October I want to assure the MP and the people of Eastern Highlands that the roads will be delivered so now you can relax and drive.
“And also, the travelling hours will be reduced and the people will have a good road,” he said.
Mirisim made this known during question time last week while answering questions from Kainantu MP, William Hagahuno who asked on the weighing station that is constructed at Ten Mile in Lae.
Hagahuno asked of when is it ever going to come in use and also if the Works Department as any plans to put up weighing stations at all the Highways in the country.
Hagahuno also stressed that the weighing stations will determine whether allowable weight is being carried out by the vehicles so that there is no further damage to roads.
He said this is a concern that the Government has to step around to find money to fund or build new roads.
Mr. Hagahuno further stated that the sealing of the Highlands Highway started in the late seventies and was completed in the early eighties and for the next forty years, the job and the workmanship that was put in stood the test of time.
