Soeharto to open bridge

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A bridge over the Memberamo river connecting the districts of Wamena and Jayapura is to be opened soon by President Soeharto.

The 235-meter-long and six-meter-wide Memberamo bridge cost Rp 15.5 billion (US$6.46 million) to build, the local public works office chief Soepadyo T.W.S said Tuesday.

He was quoted by Antara as saying that the bridge's completion would speed up a highway project to connect Wamena and Jayapura. The highway would be about 585 kilometers long and open by April next year.