Looking at the road construction at Honiara Central Market which nearly completion- Picture by Douglas Vahia

THE Minister for Infrastructure Development clarified in parliament on Tuesday the Kukum Highway Road Upgrading has been progressing – work speeding at 13.5 percent.

He made this statement over question raised by Independent Leader Dr Derek Sikua about the Honiara main road, Mataniko bridge extension, upgrading and tar-sealing from Kukum to the Honiara city council roundabout.

Minister Lusibaea said overall implementation progress of the Kukum Highway project is taking 13.5 percent according to the project implementation programme and monthly work schedule.

Minister Lusibaea said work at the central market and roundabout will be completed at the end of this year following the expansion of Mataniko bridge before constructing the old bridge into two lane.

He further said improvement of pavement on road drainage; side walk works, under pass and rising of lower portion roads works from eastern portion of Kukum Highway is well progress.

As of May this year, Minister Lusubaea said they will start from new Mataniko Bridge, to be completed in September this year before work on the old Mataniko bridge starts.

In relation to the project, Mr Lusibaea clarifies to parliament that there are two phases, and phase one starts from HCC roundabout to Ministry of Fisheries and two is from Fisheries Ministry to Alligator Creek Bridge.

Meanwhile, Minister Lusibaea said the project is estimated to fully complete within 30 month starting from June last year to November 2018.

The Kukum Highway Upgraded project has several components which includes;

• The upgrading of Kukum Highway section from the HCC roundabout to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, that was approximately 3 kilometres.
• Counter message against traffic congestion roundabout central market in Honiara, and the improvement of HCC roundabout
• widening of the Mataniko bridge from 2 lane to 4 lane
• Replacement of the old bridge from one lane to two lane