Prime Minister Hon. James Marape will tomorrow officiate at the opening ceremony of 35 permanent dual-lane concrete bridges constructed under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme (SHHIP) Tranche 2, marking another major milestone in Papua New Guinea’s infrastructure development.
The ceremony will take place at Zumim Primary School in Markham District, Morobe Province, followed by the official ribbon-cutting at Zumim Bridge.
The project is delivered by the Department of Works and Highways in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of the Government’s broader commitment to modernise national transport infrastructure and improve connectivity along the Highlands Highway corridor.
Prime Minister Marape said the bridges represent a critical investment in safe, resilient, and modern transport nfrastructure linking the Highlands region with the port city of Lae.
“These permanent dual-lane concrete bridges are a major upgrade from older single-lane and temporary bridge structures that have served our people for decades,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Tomorrow we will open the first 35 double-lane bridges from Lae to Henganofi (Eastern Highlands), and the remaining bridges along this corridor will be opened soon.”
The Prime Minister described the bridge programme as part of the Marape-Pangu Government’s signature infrastructure investments, aimed at transforming the Highlands Highway into a modern national economic corridor.
“This is another Marape-Pangu signature programme—building double-lane bridges all the way to Mt Hagen so that our highways meet the standards required for a growing economy,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said the next phase of the programme will continue further into the Highlands.
“The next 21 bridges from Henganofi to Mangiro (Chimbu) will be opened in April, when we undertake a drive from Port Moresby to Lae via the Trans-National Highway, demonstrating the improving connectivity of our national road network.”
He said the new bridges will significantly improve traffic flow and safety along one of the country’s most important transport corridors.
“For too long, trucks, PMVs, and private vehicles travelling the Highlands Highway have had to stop and give way at narrow single-lane bridges,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“With these modern double-lane bridges from Lae to Mt Hagen, that situation will become a thing of the past.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Highlands Highway remains the backbone of Papua New Guinea’s economy, linking the resource-rich Highlands provinces with the port city of Lae and international markets.
“From agriculture to mining, coffee to fresh produce, the Highlands Highway is the economic lifeline of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“This investment ensures that goods, services, and people can move more safely and efficiently across our country.”
The Prime Minister commended Minister for Works and Highways Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr and the Department of Works and Highways for delivering the bridges under the SHHIP programme.
He also acknowledged the support of the Asian Development Bank in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s national infrastructure network.
“Our partnership with the Asian Development Bank continues to play a vital role in upgrading critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges that support economic growth and national development,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He said the Government remains committed to improving transport infrastructure nationwide through the Connect PNG programme, which aims to expand road connectivity and unlock economic opportunities across rural and remote parts of the country.
“Projects such as these bridges complement our broader vision to connect every province, district, and community in Papua New Guinea through modern infrastructure,” he said.
“When we invest in roads and bridges, we invest in economic opportunity, service delivery, and the future of our people.”
Prime Minister Marape is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony before participating in the official ribbon-cutting at Zumim Bridge in Markham District.