Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

131010 - MR - Contract signed for Oro Bridges

10 October 2013

Contract signed for K130million Oro province bridges

The Department of Works and Implementation today signed a K130.4million contract with bridge construction company Canstruct of Australia to rebuild four bridges in Oro Province which were swept away by Cyclone Guba.

The Department selected Canstruct through an open international tender process to design and construct the four bridges. Up to 100 PNG citizens will be employed over the period of the contract.

The Government of PNG is contributing K85.5million and the Government of Australia is providing up to K52.4million in new funds to the project.

The Government of PNG has preserved funding for the project from a performance grant from the Australian Government as a result of the Department of Works meeting joint performance targets under the aid program in 2008.

The Department of Works will manage the project with technical assistance provided through the PNG – Australia Transport Sector Support Program.

Department of Works Acting Secretary, David Wereh, said for far too long the Oro Bridges had been a subject for numerous discussions, correspondences and arguments.

“The lengthy procurement process was the reason behind the delay in executing this priority project, but I am pleased that an access route for the people of Oro commuting into towns and districts will finally be constructed through these four bridges,” he said.

Mr Wereh said his Department under the O’Neill/Dion Government was committed to meeting The Transport Infrastructure Development goals outlined in GoPNG’s Medium Term Development Plan and the Vision 2050.

“We value the partnership that the Government of PNG and Australia has enjoyed for a number of years and we are committed to continuing this relationship as we work towards achieving the goal of creating better access routes for people living in both the rural and urban communities.”

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, who witnessed the signing said: “PNG and Australia’s many years of work to realise this major project is testament to our joint commitment to provide better infrastructure for the people of PNG.

“These four bridges will drive economic development and better connect thousands of people in Oro Province, improving their access to basic goods and services they need and deserve,”

“Australia is spending more than a third of the K1billion aid program this financial year on infrastructure – not just for roads and bridges, but to build and maintain health centres, schools and law and justice facilities.”

Construction of the four replacement bridges will take place in:

  • Ambogo River Bridge (linking Popondetta and Kokoda)
  • Eroro River Bridge (linking Popondetta and Oro Bay Wharf)
  • Girua River Bridge (linking Popondetta Town and Popondetta Airport)
  • Kumusi River Bridge (linking Popondetta and Kokoda)

The Design challenges for the bridges included changes in river courses. The bridges are designed to withstand a flood of the same size as that which followed Cyclone Guba. Fewer and larger piers will reduce the risk of debris piling up. Increased pier and abutment pile cap sizes will also mean the bridges will be more stable in extreme flood events.

The use of pre-cast concrete sections will increase quality control of bridge components. This construction method will reduce building time spent in the rivers and the potential risks to workers and reduce the overall project construction time.

Each bridge will have a pedestrian footpath, improving accessibility for people with disabilities and pedestrian road safety in general.
Construction of the bridges is scheduled to begin in early 2014 and completion is expected by the end of 2016.