The Dios Bridge, located in the Tinputz District of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville was aging and reaching an unserviceable condition.
A new Dios Bridge was built and officially opened recently, providing a reliable connectively for the people of Tinputz District and Bougainville to access goods and services, with increased loading capacity allowing vehicles with cargo to pass over safely.
The construction of the bridge was funded under the Bougainville Roads Program funding by the Australian Government through PNGAustralia Transport Sector Support Program (TSSP) in partnerships with Department of Technical Services (DTS) and local constructions.
Dios village is located in Tinputz District along the Kokopau to Itakara road about 50 kilometers from Kokopau; a road that provides a critical link between the Central, Northern and Southern Regions of Bougainville.
Australia is also funding other transport infrastructure works in the region through safety and security upgrades for Buka wharf and aviation navigation procedures for Buka and Aropa airports.
Australia invests over K21 million each year to maintain roads and bridges across Bougainville.
This includes routine repair and maintenance of the trunk road from Kokopau to Arawa, maintaining connectivity of the key economic corridor between north and south Bougainville.