Fiji is moving ahead with a major infrastructure investment aimed at strengthening the country’s transport network, with four vulnerable bridges set to be replaced under the $175 million Critical Bridges Resilience Project.

The first contract package, valued at approximately $90 million, covers the replacement of the Lami and Medraukutu bridges, while the second package, valued at approximately $85 million, covers the replacement of the Veiseisei and Sabeto bridges.

The government, through the Fiji Roads Authority, has awarded two civil works contracts to a joint venture between China Railway First Group Company Limited and China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group Company Limited.

The contracts were officially signed today at the Suva Civic Centre, marking the transition from planning and procurement to the implementation phase of the project.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the investment was critical to improving the reliability of Fiji’s transport network and protecting communities against the growing impacts of climate change.

He said Fiji continued to face tropical cyclones, intense rainfall and other climate-related challenges, making it important for infrastructure developments to be designed with resilience in mind.

“Whatever infrastructure we build, it is important that it is resilient moving into the future,” he said.

Ro Filipe said the four bridge replacements would strengthen key transport routes, support economic activities and improve the movement of people and goods.

He highlighted the importance of reliable transport infrastructure to industries such as tourism and agriculture, which depend on accessible and dependable road networks.

The project will incorporate flood clearances, structural protection and other safety measures to improve the bridges’ ability to withstand extreme weather events.

Ro Filipe also acknowledged the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, saying their partnership with the Government was important in advancing major infrastructure developments.

ADB Country Operations Head Matthew Rees said the project represented another important investment in the long-standing partnership between the Government of Fiji, FRA, ADB and the World Bank.

He said ADB had supported Fiji’s transport sector for almost 50 years, with the partnership focused on sustainable economic growth, stronger institutions and greater resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

Rees said the project had four key outcomes: replacing critical bridges with resilient structures, strengthening the institutional capacity of FRA, identifying and preparing climate solutions, and implementing gender policies and action plans in the transport sector.

He said the successful delivery of the project would depend on continued cooperation between the Government, FRA, contractors and development partners.

The project aligns with Fiji’s National Development Plan, Vision 2050 and the National Infrastructure Investment Plan.

The signing ceremony was attended by government representatives, development partners, contractors, consultants and traditional landowners from the communities where the infrastructure works will be carried out.