Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Putting maintenance first on the Sepik Highway

Work has now started on a K20 million Australian funded Department of Works project to maintain 121 kilometres of the Sepik Highway. The project covers the road from Kreer Junction to Maprik.

The project includes essential maintenance works such as drainage clearing, culvert replacement, pavement repairs, pothole patching, and resealing. Australia is also funding the supervision of this project.

Department of Works Secretary, David Wereh, sees this project as an important step towards delivering safer, more reliable roads for PNG.

"The Department is putting maintenance first to ensure that our national priority roads are maintained to continue to connect businesses and communities."

"The works will boost the local economy by providing jobs and supporting agriculture and other economic activities in the province. There are 450,000 people in East Sepik Province and roads are an important catalyst for their economic growth."

"Roads are critical to being able to get goods to market and I am pleased to be delivering this project as part of our National Road Network Strategy."

Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, stressed the importance of this important infrastructure to improve the lives of Papua New Guineans.

“This project demonstrates Australia’s commitment to funding quality road maintenance across Papua New Guinea to support economic opportunity for local businesses and communities.” Mr Davis said.    

The project is being delivered through the Papua New Guinea - Australia Transport Sector Support Program. The project was awarded to HBS (PNG) and will be completed by February 2020.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

Roadworks along the Sepik Highway.