Auki Road Project Advances with Concrete Drainage Works

In front of Auki’s BSP junction.

Almost 200 locals from nearby communities were employed by CCECC.

Local workers are mastering specialized tasks, from precise formwork assembly to the technical requirements of large-scale concrete pouring for the new drainage systems.

Ongoing drainage installation and road preparation at the Auki Road Project to ensure long-term durability and flood prevention.

The China-Aid Auki Road Network Rehabilitation Project continues to advance steadily, with the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), focusing on the installation of concrete-lined drainage systems along the 9.2 km road upgrade in Auki, Malaita Province.

Concrete Drainage and Ditching Works

Surface Water Management: Newly constructed reinforced concrete ditches are designed to effectively manage surface runoff, prevent erosion, and mitigate flood risks in Auki’s town centre and residential areas.

Reinforcement and Safety: Vertical steel rebar loops are incorporated for structural reinforcement, providing stability and serving as tie-in points for future concrete components such as pedestrian footpaths and shoulder protection.

Strategic Installation: These drainage systems are being installed along the main highway connecting Kilu’ufi Hospital to Kwaibala Bridge, as well as across 16 feeder roads to ensure comprehensive coverage.

The ministry’s Auki-based Transport Infrastructure Management team is collaborating closely with CCECC, the provincial government and local utility providers—Solomon Power, Solomon Water, and Solomon Telekom—to facilitate the smooth relocation of poles and underground cables. This coordination ensures minimal disruption as the road width expands and prepares for future installation of roadside amenities. MID’s safeguards team has since engaged with property owners to coordinate relocations from road boundaries.

The upcoming phase involves preparing the road surface for asphalt sealing. The final road will feature a high-quality, 50 mm-thick asphalt pavements, designed for durability over 10 to 20 years.

Approximately 200 local Malaitans, working alongside Chinese technical experts, are performing a significant portion of the labour, fostering local capacity and community involvement.

This project reflects the government’s National Transport Infrastructure Plan 2017-2035.

SOURCE: MID PRESS RELEASE