The first phase of the tar sealing from Henderson to Lunga Bridge kicks off, Thursday.
A visit by this paper witnessed the Kitano Construction company workers working hard running the first lane of tar seal at Henderson.
Japanese Civil Engineering General Manager Mr Katagame in an interview with this paper, said yesterday marks the first day of tar sealing from Henderson to Lungga Bridge.
He said the first phase is expected to be completed by the end of May. “We will work on both lanes of the road starting from the east side of the town begins from Henderson to Lunga road. “And by the end of May next month, the first phase of the tar seal should be completed,’’ Katagame said. He said his boys are really working hard on this road project.
“We are working against time to complete the tar sealing of the roads in Honiara before the South Pacific Games,” he said. The completion of the first phase will reduce the current traffic congestion.
The tar sealing of the road from Henderson to Kukum comes under the Kukum Highway Phase Two project, the continuation from where Kukum Highway Phase One ended.
The Project covers 6.3km road from the Ministry of Fisheries to Honiara International Airport.
The project component includes 4.3km of a 4-lane road to Lunga Bridge and a 2km two- lane road from Lunga Bridge to the Airport.
According to the project timeline, it is expected to be completed by June 2023 but now it’s extended to September.
The road between Henderson and Fishing Village is expected to be completed in September except for the eastbound side of the road from Fisheries to the roundabout at Telekom which will not be tar-sealed.
Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chair of the National Hosting Authority Dr. Jimmy Rodgers told local media recently that the road should finish in September. However, the eastbound side of the road from Fisheries to Telekom will not be completed because Solomon Water still has some digging to do in the area.
He said that is because part of the road will be completed after the Pacific Games.
Dr Rodgers further stated that all road work must stop by October 15.
He added that by October 15, the Games Organising Committee (GOC) will start practice runs, mapping, timing of trips from the venues.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Honiara
