Maintenance works on Malaita’s South Road, from Maoa to Hauhui (33 km) in Malaita Province continues to face challenges.
This comes as the road project reached 70% completion.
According to site engineer Randy Tafiako of local contractor Trades Transformation Company (TTC), their progress so far is now concentrated at the Su’u stretch after they took a short break for New Year’s Eve.
Activities undertaken thus far include cleaning, drainage improvements, re-graveling, and compaction.
Mr. Tafiako then shared some of the challenges faced during this unseal project, especially accessing gravel for the road resurfacing phase.
“As is common with rural road works, sourcing quality aggregates is a challenge. We work closely with resource owners in identifying quality materials to be used,” he said.
Another significant challenge involves using detours for wet crossings, particularly when transporting machinery across small bridges that cannot bear heavy loads.
“There are detours near wet crop gardens, and we do not want to damage food sources.
“We always seek alternative routes to cross our machinery to continue work without causing harm to food gardens and properties,” the TTC engineer added.
TTC is also responsible for tar sealing the first 5 kilometers of the road from Kwaibala to Oibola. Preparatory works have been completed, and sealing is scheduled to begin later this month.
TTC’s entire road rehabilitation project is expected to be completed within 12 months.
– MID Press
