THE continuing bad weather in recent weeks has put the current upgrading of the Kukum Highway project slightly behind schedule.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Assistant Representative Shitau Miura confirmed this during a press seminar with local journalists on Tuesday.
He said the heavy rain in the past weeks and months has affected the progress of the project, which slightly pushes the project behind schedule.
He said because of that, the constructor Kitano-WKK Joint Venture, has decided to work on Sundays to speed up the work.
Despite the slight delay, three components of the project had been completed as scheduled.
JICA Project officer Gaby Galokale highlighted that the three components already completed are counter measures against traffic congestion around the Central Market, improvement of City Council Roundabout, and New Mataniko Bridge.
He said the other components still on progress are the replacement of old Mataniko Bridge and the construction of new Vura roundabout.
He said the old Mataniko Bridge is expected to be completed in August this year while the new Vura roundabout is scheduled to be done by July.
In his presentation Mr Galokali highlighted that the project is scheduled to be completed on the 30 November 2018.
Japan has funded the project at a total cost of $255 million.
By CHARLES KADAMANA