Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP, John Rosso has
announced that, the proposed new four lane Kamkumung
Bridge along Milford Haven Road is on track for construction
this year after the contractor completed the Conceptual
Design Proposals mid-June.
The Lae MP said it has taken four years to source and secure
funding for the new bridge which will be upgraded to four
lanes to cater for the traffic congestion along the Eriku to
Unitech part of the road.
“The contractor’s design team commenced site surveys earlier
last month and have completed the conceptual design
proposals for the bridge and are currently engaged in
designing a temporary access bridge.
“The Kamkumung Bridge needs to be upgraded to four lanes
to alleviate heavy traffic conditions on this part of the city and
once the bridge is completed, plans are to upgrade the
Unitech to Eriku road to four lanes too.” DPM Rosso
explained.
The temporary bridge design is expected to be completed
early this month and when approved the contractor will
mobilize resources to begin construction.
Deputy Prime Minister Rosso said the contractor is preparing relevant documentation in accordance with contractual
requirements and have completed successful negotiations
with the Lae Polytechnic Institute to use part of their land near
the Bumbu River bank as the construction camp.
“I am happy that the contractor and the Lae Polytechnic
Institute have concluded negotiations on land to be used for
the construction camp and that both parties are now working
on the formal land lease agreements.” Rosso said.
The Lae MP said materials for the temporary bridge and the
new bridge will be sourced locally from Port Moresby and Lae.
Rosso thanked the Department of Works who will supervise
the construction and acknowledged their ongoing cooperation.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the request and negotiations
to fund and upgrade this critical bridge took four years until
funding was secured this year.
“Funding will come from the National Government working
closely with the Lae City Authority and the Lae District Office
and the project will be supervised by the Department of
Works.” Rosso added.
Work is expected to begin this year and the new four lane
Kamkumung Bridge is expected to open for use in 2025.
The Kamkumung Bridge in Lae City Morobe Province, hovering Bumbu River which flows down to China Town and into the sea. Pictures Courtesy of Adept Civil Contractor Limited.
