The Fiji Roads Authority has authorised the temporary closure and demolition of the Kalabu Bridge for extensive repair works including the installation of new structural components.
FRA contractor’s Fulton Hogan Hiways Engineer Sanjesh Prasad says that due to the temporary closure to permit repair works, motorists have been advised to use Tovata Road as an alternative route.
Prasad adds that the bridge was in an alarming state as the support at both ends of the bridge had shown cracks, the horizontal extensions from the bridge and beans had begun to erode.
He says that in order to prevent the possibility of serious harm to the travelling public the Kalabu Bridge will be temporarily closed to all vehicles as they currently carry out structural repair works.
However, pedestrians have been allowed to cross the creek on foot through a scaffold walkway constructed beside the old bridge.
Prasad says that after completion, the bridge will be nine meters long compared to its original five-meter length, adding that the work is expected to be completed by the 28th of this month.
Meanwhile over 600 households of Kalabu Village and eight neighbouring settlements in the area rely on the bridge to commute to and from the King’s Highway.
