The public was warned on Friday that sections of roads near the $44 million Vaisigano Bridge construction site will soon be closed for the first three months of 2020.

The news of the disruption comes as the bridge nears its completion next year. 

An indication of the progress of its construction- which is scheduled to be completed next July - was erected last week: the first road sign signalling the existence of the two-lane road to motorists. 

The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) informed the public on Friday of their plans to ensure safety and smooth operations of the construction.

"The Authority wishes to inform the traveling public that sections of roads near the Vaisigano Bridge construction site will be closed for three months; from 15th January 2020 until the 31st March 2020," a notice from the Authority reads.

"This closure is necessary for the completion of the project. We kindly ask all motorists to drive safely within the vicinity and follow the traffic management on site.

"We regret the inconvenience that this will cause but we request your assistance and cooperation for a long-term improvement of our road network."

The construction project is funded by the government of Japan under a grant to Samoa.

The new sign was erected on the site last week, and will in future point motorists from the bridge to popular tourist attractions on the island.

Last month, the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.) Assistant C.E.O., Saugaga Leilani Galuvao, told the Samoa Observer that the Japanese contractors have done a good job and the project completion date of July 2020 is on target.

L.T.A. C.E.O., Galumalemana Ta’atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu-Schwalger, confirmed the project’s completion date and added that updates on the project are regularly posted on the Authority’s Facebook page.

The work on the new bridge is being undertaken by the Japanese firm Konoike Company Ltd. It will be purpose-made for extreme weather conditions such as cyclones.   

The bridge will be 75 metres long and have two lanes, footpaths and street lighting as well as improvements to the roundabout at Matautu.