On Wednesday,10 September, in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, representatives from the Tongan Government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and McConnell Dowell signed the contract for a new USD$97 million infrastructure development- the largest project we have won in the Pacific.
The project will involve building a new 720-metre-long bridge across the Fanga’uta lagoon, to connect Nuku’alofa with the southeastern side of Tongatapu, Tonga’s main island.
When completed, the bridge will provide an important evacuation route in emergencies. It will also shorten pedestrian and car journey times, ease traffic congestion and help support the long-term relocation of communities affected by climate change.
Fraser Wyllie, the Managing Director for New Zealand and the Pacific, said it best, “we are not just building bridges, we are building futures”.
He acknowledged that “the project award was recognition of the team’s outstanding work” self-delivering the Queen Sālote Wharf Upgrade, and that it “will provide continued opportunities for our local workforce”.
About 80 per cent of the team are local, and will transition to the Fanga’uta project later this year.
The scope includes building the new bridge, a roundabout, 2.1 kilometres of approach roads extending to Vaini, ancillary customs buildings, drainage and lighting. The project is estimated to take three and a half years to complete.
Click here to find out more about the Fanga'iuta Lagoon Bridge project.
Renders of the new bridge.
