The proposed construction of five bridges across major rivers in East New Britain will complete the long-awaited road connection between East New Britain and West New Britain.
These projects, when funded and implemented, will complement the ongoing 44-kilometre highway upgrade under the Government’s Connect PNG Program.
Despite the substantial progress on the road upgrade, Mr. Gean said the highway could not be fully connected until bridges were constructed over the Pandi and Toriu rivers, along with three other smaller river crossings.
“The Pandi and Toriu rivers are the two major obstacles. We only need to install these bridges to connect the East New Britain–West New Britain Highway,” he told the author.
He said a total of five bridges would be required to complete the missing links and allow uninterrupted travel between the two provinces.
“I will review the bridge designs and estimate their costs based on the Department of Works and Highways specifications. The major bridges are expected to cost roughly between K20 million and K30 million each,” Mr. Gean said.
He said once the bridges were completed, they would open the highway to regular traffic, significantly improving connectivity, reducing travel times, lowering transport costs, and boosting trade, tourism, agriculture and economic opportunities across both provinces.
The K138 million road project, implemented by the Department of Works and Highways (DOWH) and constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG).
It involves upgrading 44 kilometers of the existing highway to a sealed standard.
Project Site Civil Engineer Presley Gean told PNG SUN that significant progress had already been achieved on the road works.
He said the first 10-kilometre section was completed and commissioned to DOWH on May 8, 2025, by Prime Minister James Marape, accompanied by Works Secretary Gibson Holemba and other dignitaries.
The second 15-kilometre section has also been completed and is expected to be officially commissioned this year, while the remaining 18-kilometre section is currently undergoing sealing and pavement construction and is scheduled for completion next year.
Mr. Gean said the project was originally awarded as a three-year contract ending in December 2025 but was later extended by two years to allow the remaining works to be completed.
He described the project as one of the highest-quality road pavement structures constructed along the West New Britain–East New Britain Highway.
He continued that it was expected to perform well beyond its 10-year design life with proper maintenance.