Work on $7.5 million bridge begins

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 October 2018, 12:00AM

Construction work on the $7.5 million Mali’oli’o Bridge and new access road at Samalaeulu has begun. 

In September, the Tenders Board awarded the contract for Mali’oli’o River to Ah Liki Construction.

The work is funded by the World Bank, who approved grant of $95.09 m to improve Samoa’s road network.

This was confirmed by the L.T.A. Chief Executive Officer., Galumalemana Ta’atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu-Schwalger in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

Cyclone Evan that struck in December 2012 caused significant damage to the bridge in question. 

Last month, the L.T.A. issued a statement the evaluation resulted in the panel’s recommendation to award the contract to Ah Liki Construction; this recommendation has been approved by the Tenders Board and the Cabinet.

The current Ford crossing at Samalaeulu prohibits crossing of vehicles during flash flood thus the construction of the bridge is vital to maintain connectivity even during severe bad weather and natural disasters. 

Ah Liki Construction will be employing people from the village during construction.

The bridge is proposed to be located just west of the T-intersection of the Main Road south of Samalae’ulu and due to the landform and hydrological characteristics of the river, the concrete bridge has a travelled portion (top surface) proposed to be 30m in length, and will have a 22.0 meters length elevated road extension situated on concrete footings immediately adjacent to it.

“The design is intended to provide level access to the bridge andelevated road extension from the top portion of the river channel on both sides. The span between bridge abutments is proposed to be 22.0 meters.

“The eastern abutment will be constructed part way down the slope of the riverbank, while the western abutment is situated on the elevated floodplain above the channel. 

“Theconcrete footings for the elevated road portion will all be located in the floodplain.

“No changes to the hydrology of the river are proposed, the river channel, floodplain or river banks. Instead, the intention is that the bridge will be designed to fit the topographic and hydrological characteristics of the existing landscape,” says the L.T.A statement.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 October 2018, 12:00AM

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