Monday 9th March, 2026
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape yesterday officially opened 35 newly constructed permanent bridges along the Highlands Highway, describing the country’s most important transport corridor as the backbone of Papua New Guinea’s economy.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Zumim Bridge in Markham District, marking the completion of the first major phase of bridge reconstruction under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)–funded Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme (SHHIP) Tranche 2.
The new dual-lane concrete bridges replace ageing Bailey bridges that had served the highway for decades but had deteriorated under increasing traffic loads and heavy freight movement along the critical corridor linking the Highlands region to Lae Port.
Prime Minister Marape said the Highlands Highway carries nearly 80 percent of Papua New Guinea’s economic activity, making continued government investment in its maintenance and modernization a national priority.
“This highway sustains the country. It carries the bulk of our economy from the Highlands to the port of Lae and to the rest of the world. It is worth reinvesting billions of kina into this national asset,” he said.
Joining the Prime Minister at the ceremony were Minister for Works and Highways Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, Morobe Governor Hon. Rainbo Paita, Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito, Markham MP Hon. Koni Iguan, representatives of the Asian Development Bank, and local leaders.
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged that the initial Highlands Highway restoration programme was secured under the previous government with approximately K1 billion in funding supported by ADB, but said the Marape–Rosso Government expanded the program significantly, committing an additional K2 billion for bridge replacements, road reinforcement and other critical upgrades along the corridor.
“In total, close to K3 billion has now been invested into rebuilding this highway, which is the economic spine of our nation,” he said.
He added that within the next six months, the highway corridor from Lae to Mount Hagen is expected to operate with modern bridge infrastructure and significantly improved road conditions.
Minister for Works and Highways Peter Tsiamalili Jr emphasized the national importance of the highway, stating that it connects close to five million people, nearly half of Papua New Guinea’s population, and carries the majority of the country’s exports.
“This highway links close to five million people. About 40 to 50 percent of the country uses this road, and nearly 80 percent of our exports travel along this corridor,” he said.
Tsiamalili also urged communities along the highway to take responsibility for protecting national infrastructure and ensuring development benefits local populations.
“There is both good and bad when development comes, and most of the bad comes from us men. It is time for us to change our mindset, protect this development and look after our mothers and women in our communities,” he said.
Secretary for Works Gibson Holemba provided a technical overview of the project, explaining that the Nadzab to Henganofi section of the Highlands Highway spans approximately 202 kilometers and includes 35 bridges with a combined length of 1,773 meters. The project also delivered 45 roadside bus stops to improve accessibility and safety for communities along the corridor.
Holemba said the broader bridge reconstruction programme covers three sections of the Highlands Highway, including 19 bridges between Henganofi and Mangiro, and 17 bridges between Mangiro and the Kagamuga Airport Junction in Mount Hagen.
He added that through improved project management and contract savings of nearly K200 million, the Department of Works was able to include six additional bridges, increasing the total number of bridges to 77 across the project.
The opening of the Zumim Bridge symbolically marks the completion of the first 35 bridges under the SHHIP programme, while construction and upgrades continue on remaining bridges along the Highlands Highway.
Government leaders at the ceremony said the upgrades form part of the broader Connect PNG Programme, aimed at strengthening national transport infrastructure, improving economic connectivity and supporting long-term development across Papua New Guinea.