The reconstruction project for the Tamavua-i-wai bridge in Fiji aims to establish the country’s first earthquake-resilient structure, which will enhance economic output, according to Japanese Ambassador Rokuichiro Michii. His remarks were made during a ceremony on Thursday that formalized additional funding for the project, alongside Public Works and Transportation Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
Mr. Michii announced that JP¥ 961 million (approximately $14.47 million) has been allocated for the rebuilding of the two-lane bridge. He explained that this new funding, which complements the Fijian $60 million initially pledged in 2022, raises the total design and reconstruction cost to roughly F$70 million.
He also highlighted that this signing is part of a larger financial commitment, with additional agreements expected to be formalized this month and next, collectively valued at about F$129.5 million. “Roads and bridges are essential for economic and social prosperity; they function as the nation’s lifelines,” he stated. The Tamavua-i-wai bridge’s completion is crucial, as it is the primary crossing over the Tamavua-i-wai River, significant for trade, national development, tourism, and overall economic health.
Once completed, the new bridge will augment the existing structure, resulting in a four-lane bridge designed to integrate with a future four-lane Suva to Lami motorway. Minister Ro Filipe emphasized the importance of this project as a milestone in infrastructure development. He noted that the recent exchange of notes regarding the bridge amendment is valued at approximately F$25 million, or about 3 billion Japanese yen, underscoring that road infrastructure is vital for connecting people to jobs and services, and serves as a facilitator for economic growth.
The Tamavua-i-wai bridge serves as a critical link in the Suva-Lami corridor, and Ro Filipe expressed concerns about the singular route into Suva, highlighting the need for planning alternative pathways possibly from Veisari, Wailekutu, or along Delainavesi Road to Wailoku.