Following last week’s heavy downpours that affected Honiara’s key road networks, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s (MID) Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division (TIMSD) has finalized an action plan to carry out urgent repairs and restoration works starting this week and continuing onward.
The following road networks have been identified for immediate intervention to ensure ease of movement across the city and road safety.
Road Restoration and Sealing
· Mbokonavera Road: A variation is being expedited to allow a contractor to road sections where previous quantities have been exhausted. This is treated as a high-priority zone.
· Hibiscus Avenue: (the backroad from Townground to Pt. Cruz Hotbread roundabout) urgent relief work will commence this week whilst work to finalize a contract for permanent asphalting is underway.
· Vura Road: Relief work is underway from Vura 1 to Vura 3. It will transition into a permanent sealing project under the 2026 National Transport Fund (NTF) work plan. The Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project (CAUSE II) will carry out the full rehabilitation from the Kukum SDA bus stop to the Naha Police Station intersection.
· Kobito Bridge Repairs—urgent repair works to be carried out, while a full reinstatement project will be carried out under the CAUSE II Project.
Highway Maintenance and Major Arterial
· Honiara Highway Lot 1: A dual strategy is in place. Immediate relief for now while new a contract will provide a permanent fix.
· MID/HCC Pedestrian Crossing: Excavation and concreting has resumed on the section towards the pedestrian crossing and remains ongoing.
· Lekaboli Road (Chiefs Haus-ITA Hardware backroad): Contractor to resume excavation for a common utility trench, which will be immediately followed by road surface works.
· Honiara Highway Lot 2 (Vura to White River): Relief works will continue from Commonwealth Street to the Honiara City Council (HCC) roundabout until this section is fully covered under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP).
Emergency Reconnection and Relief Works
· Tanaeba Bridge (Kohi) reinstatement: This has been classified as critically urgent. A contractor should be mobilized on-site to commence reinstatement works to reconnect the bridge and other multi-cell culverts for Northwest Guadalcanal Road.
· White River to Savo Market repairs: Work is underway to carry out relief works on this high-traffic short strip. Priority will be to address the drainage first, as one challenge is dealing with private properties that blocked the easements.
· Tanakake to Panatina: TIMSD is following up with a contractor to address the deteriorating conditions currently affecting road users for this sealed road stretch.
“All works are urgent interventions,” the TIMSD statement said.
“We have directed all job managers to fast-track documentation for procurement. While we are pushing for immediate action, we ask for the public’s patience as contractors mobilize to sites now that the weather warnings (rain and wind) are cancelled.
It adds, “Again, budget remains a challenge; nevertheless, we remain committed to maintaining Honiara’s key road networks for ease of movement, connectivity, flow of business and road safety.”
All other road improvement projects funded under the government’s development budget for this year (both Honiara and provinces) will be announced shortly.
– MID
