A major travelling inconvenience on the main highway between Labasa and Seaqaqa has now been resolved, with the completion of a temporary bridge at Vatudova outside Labasa Town.
The new bridge is a 30-metre single-lane Bailey bridge built beside an existing bridge which had to be partially closed this year because of structural failure on one lane of the bridge deck.
“The main challenge was the congestion of traffic as the bridge is on the main road and is used by everyone and not just the people around Vatudova,” Fulton Hogan Hiways Natua depot manager Nokati Ceguvinaka said.
The bridge, located 10 kilometres outside of Labasa Town, is on the main highway and is a crucial road link in two main routes – Labasa to Nabouwalu and Labasa to Savusavu.
As such, it plays an important role in the local economy as cane from nearby Seaqaqa area, which accounts for around 32 per cent of total sugar production at the Labasa Sugar Mill, are transported via the bridges.
The new Bailey bridge will remain in place allowing a two-way traffic; one lane on the existing bridge and one lane on the Bailey bridge. The Bailey bridge will also remain in service when the existing damaged bridge is repaired.
Fulton Hogan Hiways
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