Fiu Bridge near Auki reopened after emergency repairs; upgrades underway to ensure safety and connectivity in Malaita Province.
Fiu Bridge, located approximately 6 km from Malaita’s provincial capital, Auki, was reopened to traffic last night following emergency repair works.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation management has expressed regret over the incident and has committed resources to repairing the damaged sections and implementing further upgrades to enhance the structure’s integrity.
In response to the emergency, an engineer from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s (MID) Transport Infrastructure Management team was swiftly mobilized from Honiara to oversee the repairs.
The repair works, supported by local teams, commenced early yesterday morning and continued into the night. Thanks to their efforts, small vehicles and the traveling public stranded on both sides of the bridge re-enter around 11:00 PM, seeing the urgency to ensure the flow of goods and access to services.
We also advise drivers to observe loading capacity. Heavy-duty and large loads are encouraged to use the alternative wet crossing road as a detour, while light vehicles are permitted to pass through the repaired bridge for now.
To facilitate ongoing repairs and upgrades, the bridge will be temporarily closed again tonight (29th May) as replacement parts, shipped from Honiara, arrived at Auki wharf this morning to assist with the ongoing repair work.
Malaita Province Premier Elijah Asilaua and his secretary, Mr. Eric George, have been highly supportive of the emergency response efforts.
Premier Asilaua personally visited the site yesterday, emphasizing the importance of this critical infrastructure for the province’s connectivity and economic activity. He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the national government to secure immediate intervention and support for a new, more durable bridge—an essential upgrade given the aging structure and its strategic importance in linking Malaita’s northern and eastern regions with Auki.
Auki police and community leaders from the Fiu area have been also supportive in ensuring the safety and smooth flow of traffic along the detour route- a wet crossing for large vehicles upstream.
Fiu Bridge, constructed in the 1960s, is one of Malaita’s oldest structures and Malaitans have been calling for its urgent repair.
A new bridge design has already been completed under the Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Project (SIRAP 2).
MID Minister Ricky Fuo’o, has pledged to prioritize this project by engaging development partners and bringing it back onto the national agenda, as reflected in the National Transport Plan, to deliver a durable and safe structure for the country’s most populous province.
SOURCE: MID PRESS
