Long-awaited Bridge Opens
After 52 years of being a resident of Navo, Nadi businessman Abdul Khan feels of sense of relief. This is after the commissioning of the elevated Vuniyasi Bridge on Friday.
“Years of being stuck at the Vuniyasi Bridge during flooding will be a thing of the past,” Mr Khan said. Mr Khan said they often struggled with crossing the river since the previous bridge was much lower.
“This is one of the brighter days, in my 52 years on earth,” he said.
“Because it’s higher there will be no issue to cross while in our vehicle,” he said.
Taukei Navo Ratu Meli Saukuru saluted Fiji and Australia’s Vuvale partnership to improve Fiji’s infrastructure. Australian High Commissioner to Fiji and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Ewen McDonald, said the bridge was a significant contribution to the both countries’ shared vision of working together to deliver quality, sustainable, and transformative infrastructure. “Recognising the vulnerability of infrastructure to the effects of climate change, Vuniyasi Bridge now can withstand a one in 100-year rainfall event that would often make the previous bridge crossing impassable.”
The structure is built two metres above the old bridge. The bridge is 69 metres in length and serves as a critical transportation link between major towns and cities located on the Eastern half of Viti Levu and the Western Division, via the Queen’s Highway.
It is the only link along Queen’s Highway to Nadi Town, tourism hubs, Nadi International Airport, and greater parts of the Western Division.