Essar Projects PNG (EPPNG) has stated that it hadcompleted construction of the Bailey bridge on the Waghi River in Anglimp SouthWaghi district of Jiwaka Province in Papua New Guinea, thus providing alifeline to about 6,000 residents of Mugmamp who will now be able to accessbasic government services. The residents of the region were almost cut-off fromthe rest of the country after the bridge was washed away by Waghi river severalyears ago. The bridge, constructed for the Anglimp-South Waghi DistrictDevelopment Authority, connects Mugmamp with Kendeng.

The project was challenging as it included working intough hilly terrains. The 54 metre long and 6.0 metre wide Bailey bridge wasprefabricated in the city of Lae as ‘ready to fix’ parts comprising 18 bays of3.0 metre length each. These were then transported to the site, in four 40 feetcontainers, over a distance of 416 km across rugged mountainous terrain knownfor frequent landslides and hindrances caused by frequent rain and floods.

On the site, the bridge was assembled and then slid overa gravel platform with the help of pulleys erected for the purpose and fittedinto desired position on the prior constructed abutments.