The main island of Tarawa has 33 km of sealed road and 8 km of feeder roads. It is the lone vehicular transport route on the atoll. Using World Bank Finance, the road has recently been upgraded to provide good access between the seaport of Betio and the airport on Tarawa. it includes footpaths, improved drainage, speed humps, solar street lighting, and road signage. Due to the nature of the low-lying topography, this road is under constant threat of flooding and erosion by the sea.
The Japanese Government is funding an upgrade of the causeway between Tarawa Island and Betio Island. The upgrade will provide wider and less flood-prone access between the Port of Betio, the capital Bairiki, and the rest of Tarawa. It is due for completion by early 2019.
There is no vehicular access to the Northern islands of Tarawa from the south.
Christmas Island has a tar sealed road that circumnavigates the Island that was built by the USA immediately post-war. It is in very good condition and allows good access to all settlements.
Outlying islands have limited crushed coral roads that are generally all weather. Motorbikes are the main form of transport on these islands.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List
Distance Matrix
Bairiki |
Betio Port |
Bikenibeu |
Bonriki Airport |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Bairiki |
6 |
17 |
23 |
|
Betio Port |
6 |
23 |
29 |
|
Bikenibeu |
17 |
23 |
6 |
|
Bonriki Airport |
23 |
29 |
6 |
Travel Time Matrix
Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (minutes) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Bairiki |
Betio Port |
Bikenibeu |
Bonriki Airport |
|
Bairiki |
20 |
35 |
50 |
|
Betio Port |
20 |
55 |
70 |
|
Bikenibeu |
35 |
55 |
15 |
|
Bonriki Airport |
50 |
70 |
15 |
Road Security
Vehicle travel is generally
slow moving (there are regular speed humps) so there is little
danger of high-speed collisions. Surface water or erosion from rain
or high tides is the biggest issue and can often result in
closures. Feeder roads are generally unformed crushed coral tracks
between villages and houses, narrow and unsuitable for heavy
vehicles.