SIRAP2’s Rehabilitation of Noro Roads to Provide Safer Roads and Improved Access
The investigation and design phase for the rehabilitation of Noro town roads in Western Province is progressing well.
The improvements to Noro town roads are being financed through the government implemented and World Bank supported Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2).
Much of the existing road network in Noro is nearing, or beyond, its service life. To enhance road resilience and connectivity during rainy seasons, SIRAP2 will finance selected improvements to 9.9 km of Noro roads.
Noro Industrial Site Road.
These include pothole/edge repairs, surfacing raising, base and subbase courses correction, crossfall correction, culvert/drainage improvements to adapt to the forecasted increases of rainfall volumes and intensities, and road safety improvements.
Egis, an engineering firm, have been engaged under SIRAP2 to prepare the designs for the improvements and recently completed their third visit to Noro to inspect the roads to ensure the upgrades will be long-lasting, suitable to local conditions, and able to withstand climate and extreme weather impacts.
Egis will shortly present the proposed design to stakeholders including the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
These roads will benefit over 7,000 people living in Noro, Munda, and surrounding areas. Communities in the area can expect to see safer and more reliable access to markets and services, with better roads resulting in reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs.
These improvements will improve the quality of life, income opportunities, and access to care for the people of Noro.
In addition to the Noro town road improvements, SIRAP2 is also constructing four new bridges in Malaita (Kolofe1, Kolofe2, Su’u Harbor, and Bira Bridges), providing upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield, providing investments in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, and supporting regional airport maintenance.
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– Solomon Islands Roads & Aviation Project Press