Rush hour in Port Moresby

This morning the Port Moresby city motorists were hit hard by traffic jam that last for almost two hours.
 
Usually the traffic jam – morning peak hours occurs between 7 and 8am. The crucial time is from 7.30am to 8am. It eases after this time.

The rush hour is due to parents dropping off their children at school. However this morning it was a different story. From Erima, 6Mile, 5Mile and 4mile vehicles lined up the freeway – where there was a roundabout – there was a traffic jam.

Even after 8am there were still long queues of vehicles moving at a snail’s pace. Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce & Industry in an email stated that this traffic jam was being caused by a section of the Freeway at Erima being totally rehabilitated presumably to ensure a smooth ride for our Royal guests in November
 
“There is no way out of the jam-freeway to Erima is grid-locked as is traffic from 5Mile right through to the airport,” the email said.
 
POMCC advices travelling public that if they have a flight to catch they should give themselves at least two hours to ensure a timely arrival .
 
Travel times from Erima Bridge to airport roundabout was 50 minutes-from Gateway to 5Mile, was taking more than an hour.  Around 3pm today Air Niugini released a press statement advising its clients.
 
The statement read: “Air Niugini wishes to advise the traveling public that due to the current road works in Port Moresby, passengers must plan ahead to travel and arrive at the airport well ahead of the usual check-in time for their flights.
 
“Check in time for both domestic and international flights is two hours prior to departure, therefore our passengers are advised to start traveling at least an hour prior to the usual check-in time.
 
“Due to the current road construction in the city, there has been traffic build up at most roads in the city including all roads leading to the airport, causing delays to motorists. Passengers are advised to travel to the airport well ahead of the usual check-in time to avoid missing their flights.
 
“Air Niugini requests our passengers to take note of the importance of early check in time to avoid inconvenience during travel.”
 
Around 2pm today another traffic jam halted more than 100 vehicles coming down from the Burns Peak Free-way.

This was caused by a crash accident between a PMV bus number 4 and a Theodist truck. Reports on the number of injuries were not available at that time.
 
Police were quick to move in to control the traffic while the two vehicles were pushed aside to allow traffic to flow.

Source: Post Courier Online