A new bridge on Fiji's northern Vanua Levu has been opened five months ahead of schedule as part of a nationwide road project.
The Fiji Roads Authority said the 59.5 metre Cogeloa Bridge in Labasa had replaced an old and unsafe bridge.
However the CEO, John Hutchinson, said weight limits needed to be observed strictly on bridges and some drivers were still dangerously overloading their trucks.
He said the government had poured close to $500 million US dollars into the roads, which was a very large proportion of the GDP.
"That is unprecedented and you wouldn't see it in Australia, you wouldn't see it in New Zealand and most other developed countries. The government of Fiji has recognised the need that to improve the social, economic well being of the country, you have to improve the infrastructure, in particular the road infrastructure."
John Hutchinson said ongoing projects included the Nausori to Pacific Harbour sector and the Nadi to Lautoka corridor, as well as the poorer interior roads of the mainlands.
Photo: Wikipedia
