The reconstruction project for the Tamavua-i-wai bridge aims to implement a new civil engineering principle by creating Fiji’s first earthquake-resilient bridge, which will enhance economic productivity, according to Japanese Ambassador Rokuichiro Michii.
During an exchange of notes ceremony for additional project funding, alongside Public Works and Transportation Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Mr. Michii announced that ¥961 million ($14.47 million) has been allocated for the reconstruction of this two-lane bridge.
He mentioned that this additional funding, formalized in the recent agreement, will complement the initial amount of F$60 million signed in 2022, raising the total design and reconstruction cost to approximately F$70 million.
Mr. Michii expressed that the signing represents the fourth or fifth such agreement to be executed during this month and the next, amounting to a total of around $129.5 million.
He highlighted that roads and bridges are vital for economic and social development, serving as critical infrastructure akin to the lifeblood of the nation. With no alternative routes across the Tamavua-i-wai River, the completion of this bridge is considered essential for trade, national growth, tourism, and the economy overall.
Once completed, the new structure will work alongside the existing bridge, transforming it into a four-lane bridge that could connect to a potential future four-lane motorway between Suva and Lami.
In his remarks, Minister Ro Filipe noted the significance of this event in terms of infrastructure progress. He estimated that the exchanged notes regarding the amendment for the bridge project would amount to F$25 million, around 3 billion Japanese yen.
Ro Filipe emphasized that road infrastructure not only connects people to job opportunities and services but is also a catalyst for economic growth. He underscored the importance of the Tamavua-i-wai bridge as a key link in the Suva-Lami corridor and expressed concerns over the limited access routes to Suva, stressing the need to explore alternative pathways from locations like Veisari, Wailekutu, or Delainavesi Road to Wailoku.