IN preparation for the upgrading of the new highway between Honiara city council and Kukum, an operation to detect old world war bombs and metals kicked off on Wednesday.
The operation was conducted beside the old Mataniko bridge and along the river banks by a group of contractors under the supervision of Japanese officers.
The inspection was aimed to remove old ww2 bombs and hard metals that are buried around the bridge area for the safety of people who will build the bridge during the construction.
Japanese officers supervising operation said they are conducting bomb and hard metals inspection at the two main Mataniko bridges for the safety of people who’ll going to build the bridge.
“Early this week we conduct inspection at the Mataniko main bridge and today (yesterday) we did the inspection here.
“We try to remove old ww2 bombs and hard metal that are around this bridge area for the safety of contractors who’ll come working here.
“These areas are main place where work will focus on during the construction of the bridge,” the Japanese officer said.
The construction of the modern highway road have commenced following the signing of an exchange of note between the government of Japan and Solomon Islands Government early this year.
The components of the project include upgrading of Kukum Highway from the City Council Roundabout to the Ministry of Fisheries in Kukum, countermeasures against traffic congestion around the Central Market, improvement of the City Council roundabout, construction of two lane bridge in parallel with new Mataniko bridge, replacement of old Mataniko bridge and soft component for enlightenment of users including pedestrians.
The project is expected to be completed by 2018 to accommodate traffic flow for all users.
By DENVER NEWTER
