The Pacific nation of Fiji has had loans approved to fund a bridge resilience project costing almost US$200 million.

The Critical Bridges Project involves the replacement of bridges at risk of collapse on the main island of Viti Levu that will secure connectivity against environmental events.

The island’s low and ageing bridges are more frequently affected by flooding, cutting communities off from education, healthcare and commercial opportunities. Also, the island’s spine and circumference road system creates challenges during maintenance and environmental events because of a lack of alternate routes.

The project is being funded by a loan of US$120 million from the Asian Development Bank, and a US$50 million loan from the World Bank, as well as a US$14.5 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and US$15 million of financing from The Government of Fiji.

In 2016, the Fiji government used an aid grant from China to build two bridges near the capital city of Suva (link opens in new tab).