– M2 road to Yarakita 80% complete

A SINGLE-LANE trail in Port Kaituma, Region One that was appalling with many large potholes, is undergoing a complete transformation into a $172M highway, as part of the government’s vision to connect Port Kaituma to Mabaruma via a durable main road.
As part of government’s vision to connect Port Kaituma to Mabaruma over land, this massive project is spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, with International Import and Supplies as the executing contractor. This project is being executed using phased approach that will see the full rehabilitation and construction of M2 road to Yarakita.
According to the Regional Engineer within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, John Bart, who has responsibilities for Region One, much work has been invested into M2 road. “There were several spots they had to scope out and then refill with solid material, then roll and compact properly,” Bart explained.

Additionally, the engineer told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that of the 15 kilometres to be done under the project, nine kilometres of the road has already been cleared for the upgrades to proceed. Within that nine kilometres zone, five kilometres has been capped with laterite.

Since most of the preparatory work has been done, the project is now 80 per cent complete. Bart explained that despite the unseasonal rains which had posed a challenge by reducing the pace of construction, the works are expected to be completed by October 2019 – well before its projected January 2020 deadline.

Under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s work plan, $2B has been allotted for hinterland roads as part of Budget 2019. Within the region, the $155M rehabilitation and construction of 700 metres of Port Kaituma’s road network will soon be finalised, as works under that project are also 80 per cent complete. Meanwhile, the $109M rehabilitation of Wanaina to Yarakita’s road network has been completed. (DPI)