Prime Minister Hon. James Marape yesterday officially opened the newly upgraded Waghi Bridge on the Highlands Highway, saying it is proof that the Government’s Connect PNG program is delivering real benefits to people, agriculture and rural communities.
Addressing thousands of people from Jiwaka and Western Highlands provinces, the Prime Minister said the bridge replaces an old single-lane structure with a modern two-lane crossing. The upgrade is designed to improve safety, significantly reduce travel time and allow heavy freight to move between Port Moresby, Lae and the Highlands.
Throughout his stops along the Trans-National and Highlands highways, the Prime Minister delivered the same message.
“We are not only building new roads; we are maintaining our existing roads and upgrading the key links that keep our rural communities connected to markets,” PM Marape said.
“When a farmer in Jiwaka, Western Highlands or Chimbu can bring coffee and fresh food across the Waghi and into Lae or Port Moresby on a timely basis, I will satisfactorily call that development. That is Connect PNG working.”
The Prime Minister said the Waghi Bridge is a critical link on both the Highlands Highway and the Trans-National Highway.
“The upgrade will support farmers by lowering transport costs for coffee, vegetables and other produce. It will strengthen small to medium businesses through more reliable freight and market access. It will also improve service delivery by giving people faster access to hospitals, schools and government services,” he said.
The opening is part of a broader national road journey from Port Moresby through Lae and the Highlands to Kikori. The journey includes road and bridge openings and provincial economic initiatives.
“This journey shows what we can achieve when we work in collaboration,” he said.
The Prime Minister said infrastructure must go hand in hand with investment in people and the economy.
“Infrastructure is one part of it. We must also invest in our people through education, and we must diversify our economy through agriculture, small businesses and downstream processing,” he said.
As Papua New Guinea approaches its 51st Independence Anniversary, the Prime Minister said the message to every province is clear.
“Development must reach every village, every garden, every market,” he said. “We can connect our country. We can grow our farms. We can empower our people.”
The opening was attended by community leaders, church groups, students and cultural groups from Jiwaka and Western Highlands Province.
The Prime Minister concluded his drive for the day by addressing the people of Western Highlands Province at the Queens Park in Mt Hagen. He thanked the people for their support and said Government will continue working with provincial leaders to ensure services and opportunities reach every community.
“To the people of Western Highlands, this bridge and these roads are for you,” PM Marape said.
“Use them to take your coffee to market. Use them to take your children to school. Use them to build a stronger Western Highlands and a stronger Papua New Guinea.”
The main Highlands Highway dual-lane Waghi Bridge is part of the 71-bridge program under Connect PNG. The upgrade from single-lane to modern 2-lane means heavy trucks, coffee and freight can cross safely, there will be less waiting and traffic build-up, and the structure provides better flood resilience.