Building bridges – ADB, Govt, World Bank firm up on critical infrastructure

WORK on strengthening four important bridges on Viti Levu against the impacts of climate change and natural disasters will begin next year, creating jobs, boosting investment and economic activity and directly benefiting more than half of Fiji’s population.The Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project, endorsed by Cabinet last week, is major capital project cofinanced by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.

The bridges are:

(i) Lami bridge at Suvavou,

(ii) Medraukutu bridge at the Lami Cement Factory,

(iii) Sabeto Bridge at the Sabeto River, and,

(iv) Viseisei Bridge between Nadi and Lautoka.

“These four bridges are critical public assets as it connects our cities and towns along the Queens highway,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Prof Biman Prasad told The Fiji Times.

“This project will improve domestic connectivity and ensure that the new bridges are climate and disaster resilient.

“Considering the vulnerabilities induced by climate change, the bridge replacements are being designed to not only provide increased capacity and width but also deigned to withstand adverse climatic events and natural disasters.

“Also, the new designs include dedicated pedestrian pathways, thereby ensuring the safety of all road users.”
Prof Prasad said implementation of the project will start next year.

“With the support of ADB and the World Bank a lot of preparatory works has already been undertaken, including the detailed engineering designs, which makes the project ready for implementation from first half of next year, creating jobs and providing a major impetus for investment and economic activity,” he said.

Prof Prasad outlined the total financing for the project, which is close to $US200 million (approx. $F458 million) as follows:

a. $US134.5 million ($F307m) from ADB. Of this, $US120.0m ($F274.5 million) is concessional loan financing and $US14.5m ($F33.2m) is full grant;

b. $US50m is being provided by the World Bank, which includes $US25m in concessional financing and $US25m which will be accessed at normal market terms; and

c. Fiji Government financing of around $US15m, which includes tax/duty exemptions, land acquisition, amongst other things.

“I wish to highlight that the overall financing package is highly concessional with a grant element of over 50 percent,” Prof Prasad said. “While we a have direct grant component of around $F33m from ADB, the huge concessional nature of the loan from ADB (40-year term, inclusive of 10year grace period and one percent interest rate) and the World Bank IDA access, adds to the grant element in preset value terms.

“I would like to thank the ADB and the World Bank for their continuous support towards financing Fiji’s development over the last many decades and providing this cheaper source of financing for high impact climate resilient infrastructure projects,” Prof Prasad said.

“With a scheduled completion date of 2031, this transformative project represents a critical step forward in our nation’s ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and safeguard the prosperity and well-being of our people.”

In a statement issued by the World Bank on Friday on the project, it said it expected the project to benefit “more than half a million people or about 62 percent of the country’s total population,” and to “enhance mobility and promote social inclusion and economic opportunities.”

“We are proud to partner with the Government of Fiji and the Asian Development Bank on this essential work,” World Bank Group country manager for Fiji Stefano Mocci said.

“This is an important and timely initiative that will play a transformative role in strengthening Fiji’s infrastructure while ensuring the connectivity, safety and well-being of communities.”

The World Bank said the project, which is part of the broader Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program, integrates cutting edge climate and seismic risk assessments into bridge designs and upgrades to ensure the critical infrastructure is sustainable over the long-term and provides lasting benefits.

“The project will raise bridge heights and make use of seismic-resilient ground improvement techniques to ensure the works can withstand severe climatic and geological events,” it stated.

“These measures are crucial, given Fiji’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, including tropical cyclones and floods, which cause estimated annual economic losses of over $US220m ($F512m).”

In addition to physical infrastructure improvements the project places strong emphasis on supporting administration and management of these assets, the World Bank added.

“This includes comprehensive technical assistance to enhance the Fiji Roads Authority’s ability to manage transport assets effectively and sustainably.

“A dedicated gender program will also promote women’s participation in technical and leadership roles within the transport sector, building inclusivity while providing broader opportunities.

“These efforts align with the World Bank’s commitment to address systemic vulnerabilities in Fiji’s transport sector while ensuring the benefits of development are shared equitably among all Fijians,” the World Bank stated.

The site of the old Tamavua-i-wai bridge that was demolished late last year.
Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA
Vehicles seen on the Suvavou bridge in Lami. Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA

NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated January 27, 2025. 

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