Vaisigano bridge project begins next month

11 April 2018, 12:00AM

The construction of the new Vaisigano Bridge will start in May following the ground-breaking on Monday by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielgaoi.

 “I have been told that the new bridge, 75 metres long will be located 20 metres away from the current location of the Vaisigano Bridge,” Tuilaepa said at the ground breaking.

“The road on the bridge will have two lanes, footpaths and street lighting as well as improvements to the roundabout at Matautu.”  

“The ongoing improvement works at the Matautu  port and the seawall are and were also funded by the Government of Japan hence the construction of the new Vaisigano Bridge will complement the works at the Matautu port and existing coastline adaptations.”

The Prime Minister thanked the government of Japan for the financial assistance towards the design, construction and supervision of the Vaisigano bridge project. 

He also acknowledged the contributions by Government Agencies led by the Land Transport Authority and the Non-Government Organizations, which have cooperated well and will continue to work closely for the successful implementation of this project.

The Vaisigano Bridge was first constructed as a seven-span steel bridge and was later on replaced with a concrete bridge in 1953.  

In 2012, a post Cyclone Evan technical assessment recommended that the Vaisigano bridge has to be replaced.  

Consultations between the Government and its development partners resulted in a commitment of 1.8 billion yen (equivalent to ST$44 million tala) from the Government of Japan to assist the Government of Samoa with the new bridge project. 

The Grant Agreement was signed by both the Government of Samoa and the Government of Japan on the 27th of July 2017.

11 April 2018, 12:00AM

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