20 June 2025
The much-awaited sealing of the West Honiara main highway road under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP) is set to begin tonight. The initial phase will span from the Solomon Telekom Point Cruz branch to the Townground Roundabout (bush side).
The contractor for this landmark road infrastructure upgrade, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has confirmed that concrete asphalt paving will commence at 9 p.m. tonight. The timing aims to minimize traffic disruptions and ensure the asphaltβs optimal temperature.
βThe construction zone is fully fenced off, and comprehensive traffic management measures will be in place to mitigate public impact,β said a CCECC spokesperson.
βThis Mendana Ave road section (bush side) will be open for public use as of next week, and then our team will shift to the other side (seaside), closing it off and working on the eastbound lane.
The CCECC spokesperson added that asphalting work will progress towards Rove Outback and is expected to continue until early September, subject to weather conditions, design adjustments, and unforeseen circumstances.
Work on this road section is also part of the governmentβs preparations to host the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting in September.
Work will proceed in sections, with the entire 4.8 km stretch from White River to the Honiara City Council Roundabout targeted for completion by early next year.
Construction on the Mendana Avenue and Tandai Road section commenced in late 2023 but experienced delays due to utility relocations, drainage system work, and adverse weather conditions over recent months. With improved weather patterns, CCECC is now committed to maximizing efforts to meet the scheduled completion date.
LMCP is a collaborative initiative funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government. For the road component, it includes Tandai Highway from a two-lane to a four-lane carriageway, rehabilitating and improving Mendana Ave. from Town Ground to Honiara City Council Roundabout (approximately 1.7 km), and upgrading the existing two-lane road from Henderson to Mberande over 31.7 km (East Guadalcanal Highway), which nears completion.
Road users are advised to observe traffic rules and adhere to designated detours during construction to ensure safety and smooth flow.
The Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) and Safeguards team within the Ministry of Infrastructure Developments (MID) will continue their ongoing inspection and monitoring activities throughout the duration of this project.
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[MID]
