Four critical bridges along the Queen's Road corridor will be replaced, in a move expected to improve the safety and reliability of travel for thousands of people who depend on the busy route.
The replacement works will be carried out under the Critical Bridges Resilience Programme (CBRP), following the signing of construction contracts worth approximately $175 million with contracts been awarded to a joint venture between China Railway First Group Company Limited and China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group Company Limited.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau says the bridges play an important role in connecting communities and supporting the movement of people and goods.
He says the Queen's Road corridor supports key economic activities, including tourism, agriculture, industries and businesses.
Ro Filipe says Fiji continues to face the impacts of tropical cyclones and intense rainfall, making it important to ensure the country's infrastructure is resilient to future disasters.
He says design flood clearances, seismic protection and other safety measures have been taken into account in the project.
The project has been divided into two contract packages.
Package A covers the replacement of the Lami and Medraukutu bridges, with an awarded contract value of approximately $90 million.
Package B covers the replacement of the Visesei and Sabeto bridges, with an awarded contract value of approximately $85 million.
Ro Filipe says the Government, through the Fiji Roads Authority, expects the works to be delivered in accordance with approved designs, contractual requirements and agreed implementation schedules.
Meanwhile, Asian Development Bank Country Operations Head Matthew Rees says the project is an important milestone in the partnership between the Government, the Fiji Roads Authority, ADB and the World Bank.
Rees says the programme also aims to strengthen the Fiji Roads Authority's institutional capacity, identify climate solutions and promote gender equality and inclusion in the transport sector.
He says the project has four key outcomes, including replacing critical bridges with resilient structures, strengthening the capacity of the Fiji Roads Authority, identifying and preparing climate solutions, and implementing gender policies and action plans.
Rees says continued cooperation between the Fiji Roads Authority, contractors, construction supervision consultants, ADB and the World Bank will be important to ensure the works are delivered safely, to a high standard, on time and within budget.
