ADB Approves $199.5 Million Project to Improve Domestic Connectivity in Fiji

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (28 November 2024) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $199.5 million project that will replace critical bridges on Fiji’s main island to improve domestic transport connectivity.

The Critical Bridges Resilience Project is funded by a $120 million ADB concessional loan and a $14.5 million grant financed by the Asian Development Fund (ADF) 13 Thematic Pool, under its disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategic area. The ADF provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries. The Government of Fiji is providing $15 million in counterpart financing. The project is proposed to be jointly cofinanced by the World Bank with a $50 million loan.

“The construction of the four bridges in Lami, Medraukutu, Sabeto, and Viseisei will transform domestic connectivity providing better linkages to markets, schools, and health services,” said ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office Regional Director Aaron Batten.

Fiji’s transport infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, faces the brunt of impacts from disasters and climate change. As a result, the transport sector requires significant investment needed to build the country’s resilience.

The project will construct 4 main bridges that will be resilient to climate change and disasters. The bridges and their approach roads will be replaced with adequate space for sidewalks and road safety elements. The project will enhance the capacity of the Fiji Roads Authority in asset management and preparing gender-responsive policies and investments.

The ADF grant will fund part of the construction cost of the bridges, covering the incremental costs of the resilience of the bridges to disasters, especially earthquakes and liquefaction. It will also be used to prepare an upstream, transport sector-wise multihazard social and gender vulnerability assessment and investment road map.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.