THE Department of Works and Highways is carrying out emergency work across the country following natural disasters caused by adverse weather and other related factors which has damaged and destroyed several bridges and roads.
Department secretary Gibson Holemba said the respective contractors had been working to restore the bridge accesses in the different affected areas of the country.
“The contractors are working on damaged bridges in Bougainville, which they have managed to make access to the affected bridges,” he said.
“In Milne Bay, as well as East New Britain.
“These bridges were affected by Cyclone Maila and the relief restoration efforts are ongoing.”
Holemba said the department was working in and around those affected areas to restore accessibility.
Efforts also extended to West Sepik, where a landslide occurred at Lumi, destroying a bridge.
He added that work was also being done to certain sections of the coastal highway between Wewak and Vanimo and Wewak to Maprik and Nuku.
“The restoration work is also going on in parts of Madang to along the Ramu Highway, as well as Bogia, where several bridges were affected,” Holemba said.
“We are working on all these affected bridges to restore access to allow people’s movement.”
He also stated that emergency work had been done for the Yalu Bridge in Morobe, connecting the Highlands Highway with the Lae’s Main Wharf and the Pine Top Bridge, connecting Wau-Waria and Bulolo.
“These bridges have been fully restored,” Holemba said.
Restoration work at Yalu Bridge in Huon Gulf and Pine Top Bridge in Wau-Bulolo was required following heavy rain in Morobe, causing the respective rivers to burst their banks and causing damage to the structures making passage by traffic difficult to impossible.
The Morobe Works team, with the assistance of the police and the contractors, were onsite during the weekend to ensure emergency work was done and access was opened.
