The government of Timor-Leste (East Timor) decided to proceed with the repair of one of the road links between the north and the south of the island, a project that includes 169 additional kilometres of roads, the Minister of Public Works said in Dili.

The project, costing US$123.25 million, focuses on the connection between Manatuto in the north of the island, and Natarbora to the south, which is considered one of the country’s priority road links.

Minister Gastão de Sousa, cited by Portuguese news agency Lusa, said the project was funded by the Asian Development Bank, with US$50 million dollars, and the government’s Infrastructure Fund, with US$73.25 million.

Repairs are also underway on the roads linking Dili and Liquica (to the west), the connection to Gleno (to the south) and studies for 169 kilometres on the Baucau/Viqueque and Baucau/Los Palos roads (on the eastern tip of the country).

The Minister of Public Works said the contract would be carried out by a consortium of Korean companies. (macauhub/TL)