Funding has been secured to replace the ageing bridge in Labasa, clearing the way for construction of a higher, climate-resilient crossing aimed at improving traffic flow and supporting development in Fiji’s Northern Division. The project, approved by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) after consultations with stakeholders and the business community, will be financed with support from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, Labasa Special Administrator Chair Paul Jaduram confirmed.
“The current bridge will be demolished and replaced with a new bridge that has already been approved by the Fiji Roads Authority,” Jaduram said, outlining the FRA’s endorsement and the international funding backing. He said the new design will raise the bridge about 1.2 metres above the existing structure to improve flood clearance and account for future sea-level rise, a measure intended to increase the crossing’s resilience to extreme weather and tidal impacts.
To limit disruption during construction, work planning includes the retention of the early bridge at Naqai through Naqai Village and the Bailey bridge as optional eastern-to-western crossing points in Labasa. Jaduram also said a temporary foot crossing will be provided for pedestrians before the present bridge is demolished, and an additional temporary upstream bridge will be constructed near Naqai Village to maintain vehicular access while the main works proceed.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027 and is expected to take three to four years to complete. The FRA’s approval and the confirmed funding mark a key shift from planning to delivery on a long-awaited infrastructure upgrade for the town and surrounding areas. The timeline given means the community and businesses can anticipate major works and traffic management measures over the latter half of the decade.
Local leaders have positioned the replacement as more than just a transport project. Jaduram said the new bridge will help improve traffic flow and support broader development across the Northern Division, where resilient transport links are critical for economic activity, access to services and disaster response. The decision to elevate the carriageway reflects growing attention to climate adaptation in Fiji’s infrastructure investments.
With the financing in place from two multilateral institutions, the project now moves toward the next stages of preparation ahead of the 2027 start date. Specifics such as tendering, contractors and construction phasing have not been released, but the FRA approval and the planned temporary crossings indicate authorities are preparing to manage both construction logistics and community access through the works.
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