MID urges patience during Honiara roadworks, following assault on traffic controller amid traffic delays
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), in a statement today, wishes to remind Honiara road users about the ongoing roadworks happening along Mendana Avenue (Heritage Park Roundabout to Honiara City Council Roundabout). Last Friday (June 5th), there was a bit of a hiccup involving a local traffic controller who was just doing his job and, unfortunately, was on the receiving end of some frustration from a pedestrian.
Apparently, the unruly pedestrian was a bit upset about not being able to cross at that moment and, in a moment of impatience, slapped the traffic controller employed by the contractor.
“We understand waiting in the long queues and crossing points can be frustrating, but here’s the thing: these traffic controllers follow approved traffic management plans and safety procedures designed to keep both vehicles and pedestrians out of harm’s way,” the statement explained.
“They deserve to be treated with kindness, respect, and professionalism as they do their job,” the statement said, adding that it applies to the whole of the road crew—engineers, construction crews, and supervisors who are out there braving the heat and dust to upgrade our city road so we can all enjoy safer, smoother travel in years to come.
The Ministry again calls on Honiara travelling public to maintain cooperation with on-site traffic management personnel, obey all posted signs, and exercise extra patience when traveling through active work zones.
Given the limited availability of alternative routes and the high level of activity associated with the Central Market, seaport, shopping centers, and fuel storage facilities, traffic congestion during this phase of the project is expected and unavoidable. Road users are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and allow extra travel time.
“Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and this project moving forward.”
“We are also thankful that the Road Transport Board Taskforce has been helpful for the past two months in managing the traffic to ensure public safety and minimize disruptions,” the statement said.
In the meantime, the scope of works focuses on Rifle Range Roundabout, Solomon Islands Ports Authority Junction to the Hot Bread/South Pacific Oil Roundabout (seaside), in front of Alvaro Building, Central Market, and will switch to the landside. Final works will be around July on the landside from Hot Bread Roundabout to MID/HCC Roundabout. The targeted timeline for full completion, including road markings, street lighting, and signage installation, is set for August 2026.
This Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP) is a collaborative undertaking by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands government contracted to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). For the road component, it includes upgrading the Tandai Highway to Mendana Avenue Road from a two-lane to a four-lane carriageway (4.8 km) and the existing two-lane road from Henderson to Mberande over 31.7 km (East Guadalcanal Highway).
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