For decades, the journey from Nabire to Manokwari, two key cities in the land of Papua, was an odyssey of mud, mountains, and endurance. Drivers often took up to 36 hours to traverse the rugged 700-kilometre stretch, braving steep cliffs and river crossings.
But this year, that story changed. On November 6, 2025, Corporate Secretary Waskita Karya, Ermy Puspa Yunita, announced that with the completion of connecting Nabire and Manokwari, travel time had been drastically reduced to just 14 hours.
A road that was once a test of will is now a corridor of opportunity.
A New Artery
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), the newly connected Trans-Papua route covers around 1,070 kilometres, with the Nabire-Manokwari section being one of the most strategic. This link is part of the broader Trans-Papua Highway network, stretching more than 3,400 km across the island – from Sorong to Merauke.
The key benefits of the completion of this Trans-Papua toll road are:
- Logistics made easier: transport of food, construction materials, and fuel is now faster and cheaper.
- Regional connectivity: small towns and interior districts along the route can access health, education, and trade services.
- Tourism potential: scenic routes across lush valleys and coastal landscapes are opening up new travel opportunities.
“What once took more than a day and a night can now be done in half a day. This is the kind of change people in Papua can feel,” said one local transporter in Nabire, that sees the road now as the new artery in the region.
Economic Pulse Begins
Before the connection, goods shipped from Manokwari to Nabire or vice versa, had to rely heavily on sea transport or costly air cargo.
Now, with the road open:
- Freight costs are down by nearly 40 %.
- Farmers can send fresh produce and livestock faster to markets in coastal cities.
- Local entrepreneurs are starting roadside stalls, repair shops, and small inns.
The PUPR Ministry notes that the economic ripple effect is already visible in districts like Wasior, Ransiki, and Wamesa, which lie along the new route.
Bridging More Than Distance
Beyond the economic aspect, the Trans-Papua road holds symbolic weight. For many Papuans, it means being seen and connected, a tangible sign that development is reaching even the island’s most remote corners.
The Trans-Papua project reflects a broader national vision of equitable development. By physically linking isolated districts, it strengthens social cohesion, government service delivery, and national unity – all while creating new opportunities for the people of Papua. And for travellers who now drive from Nabire to Manokwari, the journey is no longer one of exhaustion but one of wonder: the mountains, rivers, and villages once separated by time are now bound by a single, winding road – a road to tomorrow.
West Papua Now 