A ground breaking ceremony was held yesterday for the new bridge over the Vaisigano River in Apia in Samoa.
Samoa Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi at groundbeaking for new Vaisigano bridge Photo: supplied
The Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, said the bridge had long been a vital part of the road network on Upolu connecting Apia and the industrial area to the west to Samoa's only commercial port - the Matautu wharf.
He said it was was first constructed as a seven-span, steel bridge and was later replaced in 1953 with a concrete bridge, which is starting to deteriorate while natural disasters had weakened it.
A technical assessment after Cyclone Evan recommended the Vaisigano bridge had to be replaced.
Construction of the new bridge is due to start next month, with $US17 million provided by the Japanese Government.