Gov’t & Japan sign $243m Fishing Village to Airport Road Upgrade Project

The Government this morning singed grant agreement of $243m with the Government of Japan which will see the upgrading of the main-road from Fishing Village to Honiara International Airport under the Kukum Highway Phase Two Project.

The Japanese funded project will start soon and is expected to be completed by June 2023. Under the project, the contractor will upgrade the current two-way lane from Fishing Village to the Lunga Bridge to a four-way lane, and from Lunga to the airport will remain at two-lane though it will be further improved.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremiah Manele said the signing of the agreement signifies another milestone of cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Manele in acknowledging Japan— also commended their contributions to the infrastructure development in the country.

Japan also funded the first phase of the Kukum Highway Project which was completed in November 2018.

He said the development is important as Honiara is an expanding city with congested traffic with high demand for road use.

Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, Morimoto Yasuhiro said the signing of the agreement this morning is a significant event and a milestone in the ongoing cordial bilateral relationship between the two countries.

“It is also the result of the tireless effort put into survey and preparation of relevant project data and document on both sides that paved the way for the singing,” he said.

The project will cover 6.3kms. Its component will include 4.3km of 4 lane road to Lunga Bridge and 2 kilometers of lane road from Lunga to the Airport.

Ancillaries to the road project are, the drainage systems, bus stations, street lights, traffic sign board and pavement makings.

The project time-line is 24 months and it is expected to complete by June 2023, just before the Pacific Games in July 2023.

DPM Manasseh Maelanga was also hand to witness the ceremony and sign on to the agreement with Manele so as the JICA Resident rep Motoyuki Uegaki.

News@SBMOnline2020