PNG is steadily progressing toward building a national road network inspired by Australia’s Highway 1—the world’s longest highway, spanning over 14,500 kilometers.
The country’s version envisions connecting the entire nation through strategic corridors from Alotau to Port Moresby, Kikori to the Highlands, West Sepik to Milne Bay, Baiyer to Madang, Western to Sandaun Province, Maramuni to Greater Sepik, East to West New Britain, and Morobe to Port Moresby.
In a historic announcement, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape confirmed the opening of the long-anticipated road link between Alotau in Milne Bay Province and the nation’s capital, Port Moresby—marking a first in the country’s history.
“This is a historic achievement,” Marape declared in a media statement yesterday.
“Just as I drove from Kikori to Mt Hagen during Christmas 2022 — witnessing Gulf people selling coconuts, crabs, lobsters, and sago in Highland markets — today we celebrate another transformation. People can now drive from Alotau through Central Province into Port Moresby.”
PM Marape emphasized that these road developments are already changing lives. Youth from Gulf Province, once dependent on sea travel, are now driving to places like Lae and Mt Hagen to participate in national sporting events. “That’s the real impact of opening up our country through roads,” he said.
Marape described the Alotau–Port Moresby route as an “iconic tourism highway” in the making, traversing Milne Bay’s sandy beaches and Central Province’s rich cultural and scenic landscapes. “This is more than just a road. It’s a gateway to tourism, agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, forestry, and other rural industries.”
Though the road remains in its early “first-cut” stage and is not yet fully sealed, it is operational and in use. The government plans to upgrade it into a fully sealed, world-class highway over time.
To ensure safety along these new corridors, Marape confirmed plans to establish police stations along key sections of the highway. “These roads must be safe and secure for our people. They are meant for business, tourism, and community development—not for criminal activity,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister also announced a new land policy, currently being developed in partnership with the Department of Lands and the Department of Commerce and Industry. The initiative will allow landowners along highway routes to register their land and use it as bankable collateral for loans and business development.
“We want our people to engage in commercial agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and hospitality. That’s how we convert road infrastructure into real economic opportunity,” he explained. Marape pointed to recent success stories, such as the export of mud crabs from Central Province to Singapore, as examples of what is possible.
With less than 30 kilometers left to complete the full Alotau–Port Moresby connection, the Prime Minister confirmed his intention to personally drive the entire route in August 2025 to celebrate its official completion.
Marape also responded to Opposition criticisms alleging project mismanagement, assuring the public that an independent audit of the Department of Works is underway. “That will not stop our determination. Our vision is clear: to connect the country and empower our people through infrastructure,” he stated.
“This is our blueprint. From the Highlands to the coast, from West Sepik to Milne Bay, roads are going in. Let us use them to lift our people out of poverty and into prosperity.”