Bridges of the future
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during the opening of the new Vatuwaqa Bridge on January 11, 2018. Prior to this the PM had also opened the new Stinson Parade Bridge in Suva. Both bridges were aided by the Chinese government and built by the China Railway 14 group together with local construction workers.
The opening of the new Vatuwaqa Bridge in Suva has brought feelings of relief for parents anticipating the start of 2018 school year on Monday. Vatuwaqa residents were out in numbers to witness Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama officially open the new bridge yesterday.
Joana Mucunabitu, 49, said she had been living in the Vatuwaqa area for more than seven years and was thankful for the opening of a bridge that would finally ease traffic during the school year.
The construction of the bridge was aided by the government of China,
“The new bridge brings a sense of relief and we are thankful to the Chinese government for its help, it’s a blessing to residents not only in Vatuwaqa, but for the whole of Fiji,” Ms Mucunabitu said.
She said residents were grateful the old and temporary bridge served its purpose of helping them cross the Vatuwaqa River.
“We are all looking forward to use the new bridge. Traffic will be seen as not so much of an issue in the area at the moment,” she said.
For Arieta Tadulala, 72, living in Vatuwaqa for almost 30 years has allowed her to witness many changes and developments in the area. “I am very happy. The new bridge looks splendid and it will benefit many, like the working people and school children,” Ms Tadulala said.
“I have been staying here for a long time and travelled on the old bridge, but now I have survived to see the completion of a new bridge.”
She said traffic for the Vatuwaqa route would normalise and bus services would no longer be a problem. Another resident Filimone Rakuvo said he had been staying in the area for five years and they had problems of travelling to town since the closure of the old Vatuwaqa Bridge.
Mr Rakuvo said even with the temporary bridge, they still felt frustrated having to wait for transport and then got stuck in traffic. “We are thankful the new bridge is open, we will travel with ease to work and students to school. We are indeed grateful and so happy,” he said.