Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday commissioned the new Waidamu Bridge in Namata Village, Tailevu, that will benefit around 5000 living there.
The bridge will serve people in the Namata district, Maumi Village and the settlements of Vusuya and Korociriciri.
“This bridge which cost nearly $4 million to build, is one of several we have built and are building as part of a resilient road network,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“So by serving this community with this new bridge, we also put one more piece in place for a modern, efficient and resilient infrastructure that serves the entire country,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama said that nine more bridges were currently in the pipeline and would soon be built with a cost of nearly $52 million.
“It is just as important to know that we are growing, we are creating better transportation networks that free our people to do business, to go to school, and to travel safely while they take care of the things we all must do everyday and every week,” he said.
Residents
Mere Ilivula, 55, has been living in Vusuya almost her entire life said, the infrastructure development would enhance accessibility.
“Before this, when it was a one-lane road, it was quite inconvenient for us especially during rainy days,” she said.
“It affected many who travel to work and school on a daily basis.
“We would fear for our safety because the old bridge was old and if it got flooded, people were stranded on one end,” she said.
Ms Ilivula thanked Government for hearing their plea to improving infrastructure.
The two-lane bridge means that travel time will be reduced.
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