THE Erima flyover bridge is the first truly remarkable example of public infrastructure built in Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.
Prior to the construction of the bridge, the Erima shopping centre was linked to the Erima Settlements located near Waigani Golf Course by a couple of tracks that ran through the old Hugo sawmill.
Over time these tracks developed into roads and then into a new freeway to be connected to the bridge from the Waigani Arts Centre.
It is hoped that the road running to the settlement will be expanded into four lanes. This would further free up traffic for the residents from 8 and 9 Mile and allow them better access to Erima, the airport, Gordons and Waigani Central.
Currently, even after numerous attempts to free up the traffic on Sir Hubert Murray highway, a long convoy of slow-moving vehicles extends as far as 8 Mile.
Internationally, flyover bridges are built mainly to ease traffic congestion or prevent traffic obstruction. Their unique design ensures that traffic congestion is freed up so it does not impede existing infrastructure.
That said, building a flyover bridge was an expensive way to address traffic congestion in this part of Port Moresby and there is still uncertainty over its use.
Questions are being raised as to whether it will be open to the public or only be accessible to certain people like VIPs or dignitaries. There is a feeling that the flyover bridge was built just to cater for VIPs during the hosting of international events like the 2018 APEC Summit.
Some people are even more skeptical, suggesting that the bridge is merely an attempt by government to blindfold foreign dignitaries to the filthy and disorganised state of Erima. Whatever, one thing is for sure and that is that the flyover bridge will bring the Erima settlements into full view.
This could spell trouble for the settlers if the government is determined to present a more progressive illusion of Port Moresby to foreign dignitaries.
Settlers living near the bridge are also anxious that it will increase the likelihood of attracting development that may jeopardise their wellbeing. Already there are rumours that remnants of the Waigani Arts Centre settlement will be evicted.
The scenic views and proximity to Central Waigani and the airport could turn this part of Port Moresby into a most sought-after address.
Plans are already in pipeline to turn the old Hugo sawmill into a “city within a city” development. Equipped with all the amenities suitable for the middle to top income earners it is expected to change Erima into a top class suburb.
A few months away from the flyover bridge’s official launch, more people are of the view that it has been a waste of taxpayers’ money. A walk or drive under the bridge makes one realise that it would have saved a lot of money if the government built a four or six lane road instead of a bridge. This would have still produced the same net result (better traffic flow) but at lower cost.
Last year the project management unit of Hawkins Constructions assured the city government and residents that the bridge would be ready on time, that is earlier this month. However, the deadline has been moved back and it is expected to be completed before the Pacific Games in July.
The flyover bridge at Erima will forever be remembered as the road that became a bridge. It will be interesting to see what the public’s perception is once it comes into operation. Being a first for PNG it has certainly captured the imagination of city residents.
There are those optimistic that such a development set the stage for a brighter future for Port Moresby. They see the settlements dispersed across the hills of Port Moresby as a threat to that future and hope that they will become extinct.
On the other side of the spectrum, those who call Erima home are sensing that change is coming that will alter their lives forever.
For them it is important that the government clearly informs them about Erima’s future. In the absence of information settlers live in uncertainty and anxiety.
For these people it is time to brace themselves for what could be a most challenging and life-altering event.
It is hoped that the road running to the settlement will be expanded into four lanes. This would further free up traffic for the residents from 8 and 9 Mile and allow them better access to Erima, the airport, Gordons and Waigani Central.
Currently, even after numerous attempts to free up the traffic on Sir Hubert Murray highway, a long convoy of slow-moving vehicles extends as far as 8 Mile.
Internationally, flyover bridges are built mainly to ease traffic congestion or prevent traffic obstruction. Their unique design ensures that traffic congestion is freed up so it does not impede existing infrastructure.
That said, building a flyover bridge was an expensive way to address traffic congestion in this part of Port Moresby and there is still uncertainty over its use.
Questions are being raised as to whether it will be open to the public or only be accessible to certain people like VIPs or dignitaries. There is a feeling that the flyover bridge was built just to cater for VIPs during the hosting of international events like the 2018 APEC Summit.
Some people are even more skeptical, suggesting that the bridge is merely an attempt by government to blindfold foreign dignitaries to the filthy and disorganised state of Erima. Whatever, one thing is for sure and that is that the flyover bridge will bring the Erima settlements into full view.
This could spell trouble for the settlers if the government is determined to present a more progressive illusion of Port Moresby to foreign dignitaries.
Settlers living near the bridge are also anxious that it will increase the likelihood of attracting development that may jeopardise their wellbeing. Already there are rumours that remnants of the Waigani Arts Centre settlement will be evicted.
The scenic views and proximity to Central Waigani and the airport could turn this part of Port Moresby into a most sought-after address.
Plans are already in pipeline to turn the old Hugo sawmill into a “city within a city” development. Equipped with all the amenities suitable for the middle to top income earners it is expected to change Erima into a top class suburb.
A few months away from the flyover bridge’s official launch, more people are of the view that it has been a waste of taxpayers’ money. A walk or drive under the bridge makes one realise that it would have saved a lot of money if the government built a four or six lane road instead of a bridge. This would have still produced the same net result (better traffic flow) but at lower cost.
Last year the project management unit of Hawkins Constructions assured the city government and residents that the bridge would be ready on time, that is earlier this month. However, the deadline has been moved back and it is expected to be completed before the Pacific Games in July.
The flyover bridge at Erima will forever be remembered as the road that became a bridge. It will be interesting to see what the public’s perception is once it comes into operation. Being a first for PNG it has certainly captured the imagination of city residents.
There are those optimistic that such a development set the stage for a brighter future for Port Moresby. They see the settlements dispersed across the hills of Port Moresby as a threat to that future and hope that they will become extinct.
On the other side of the spectrum, those who call Erima home are sensing that change is coming that will alter their lives forever.
For them it is important that the government clearly informs them about Erima’s future. In the absence of information settlers live in uncertainty and anxiety.
For these people it is time to brace themselves for what could be a most challenging and life-altering event.
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