By ESWIN PLESIO
THE people of Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province and the wider Highlands region will soon benefit from a major upgrade to a key section of the Highlands Highway following the signing of a K239.8 million contract between the Department of Works and Highways (DoWH) and China Wuyi Company Limited.
The contract, valued at K239,799,295.27, covers the design, construction, and upgrading of the road from Mt. Zion to Goroka Market. The existing two-lane sealed road will be expanded into a four-lane asphalt concrete pavement.
The upgraded highway will also incorporate the Advanced Nano New Stabilisation System (ANNS), an innovative technology designed to strengthen and stabilise the road base, improving its durability and long-term performance.
The project is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and support economic growth by providing a more efficient transport corridor through Goroka and the wider Highlands region.
The project, which will be fully funded by the National Government under the Connect PNG Programme, is expected to be completed within 36 months.
The contract was executed on behalf of the State by the Governor-General, Sir Bob Dadae, at Government House.
Representatives of China Wuyi Company Limited, Ding Hongliang and Zhu Zhongshan, signed on behalf of the company, while Department of Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba witnessed the signing.
Mr Holemba said the project targets one of the busiest and most congested sections of the Highlands Highway, stretching from Mt. Zion through Goroka town to the market area.
“This section is about eight kilometres long and will be upgraded from the current two-lane national highway to a four-lane road,” he said.
He said the existing road has become a major bottleneck for motorists, particularly heavy vehicles transporting cargo to mining operations and the Highlands region.
“Anyone who regularly travels through Goroka knows the traffic congestion has become a serious problem. Large trucks carrying supplies to mining projects and other destinations struggle to move through the town because of the volume of traffic,” Mr Holemba said.
He said upgrading the highway to four lanes would significantly improve traffic flow, reduce delays and make travel safer for motorists and the local community.
Mr Holemba also noted that China Wuyi Company Limited was already undertaking infrastructure projects in Eastern Highlands Province, saying the company has an established presence and experience working with the provincial government and district administrations.
The National Executive Council approved the awarding of the contract to China Wuyi Company Limited as part of the Government’s ongoing investment in improving the country’s road network under the Connect PNG Programme.