By PEARSON KOLO
THE Highlands highway, country’s main economic lifeline and the longest road network is in a terrible stage.
It is riddled with huge potholes from Markham Valley in the Morobe province all the way to Kerowagi in the Chimbu province as witnessed by this scribe during a holiday trip there.
Hence travelling on the highlands highway is becoming longer and rough with vehicles needing continuous maintenance.
The condition of the highway is so distressing that it can cause a pregnant woman traveler to give birth on the road. Babies, the aged and asthmatics could suffer respiratory complications due to the cloud of dust.
The tar from Kainantu all the way to Megendi is peeled off and that section of the highway is very dusty.
The highway is bumpy, rough and dusty constantly slowing down the travelling public and cargo trucks, and vehicles need major mechanical service after a long trip.
It is the main economic lifeline of the country with major mines like Porgera Gold Mine, PNG LNG project, K92 Mine and cash crops like coffee, tea and vegetables move up and down every day to major markets and from the main ports in Lae and Madang.
The current bad condition of the highway is slowing the economy.
The Sunday Bulletin witnessed some maintenance work along the highway, where old culverts and bridges are being replaced and resealing work is ongoing.
The maintenance work was seen along the Chimbu and Eastern Highlands Section of the Highlands Highway.
Engineers and officers from the National Department of Works were seeing during the Christmas and New Year period along the highway assessing the condition of the road and monitoring the maintenance work.
The maintenance work is expected to complete towards the end of this year and will bring back the former condition of the highway.
