Ramu Highway reopened: Works Department Fast-tracks Bridge Repairs in Madang

Vehicles passing through a temporary bypass as Works department progress the construction of new bridges along Ramu Highway *(Image: Supplied)*

Commuters traveling between Madang, Lae, and the Highlands can breathe a sigh of relief as the Department of Works and Highways confirms that the Ramu Highway is once again fully accessible.

Following a period of severe weather that forced travelers into dangerous wet-crossings, Works Secretary Gibson Holemba confirmed that emergency repairs on three critical bridges in Iguruwe, Omea, and Yanima, are progressing ahead of schedule.

Iguruwe bridge is now fully operational as the damaged deck has been replaced, and a total bridge replacement is currently being mobilized from Lae.

For Omea, contractor MCC has mobilized on-site. Traffic is being diverted to a temporary bailey bridge while a permanent concrete structure to be built under the Asian Development Bank [ADB] program.

Reconstruction of one of the collapsed bridges in Madang (Image: Supplied)

Yanima bridge is currently accessible via a temporary bypass and culvert. A new bailey bridge is being mobilized to create a permanent crossing on the existing alignment.

"The Ramu Highway is accessible at the moment from Watarais all the way to Madang," Secretary Holemba told NBC News.

The repairs are part of a larger vision under the Connect PNG program. Holemba revealed that the World Bank is currently finalizing procurement for a full rehabilitation of the Ramu Highway. This includes a design contract currently with the National Procurement Commission [NPC] to reconstruct the entire Momase Corridor, eventually linking Wutung to East Cape.