Load restriction imposed on the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge

A load restriction has now been imposed by the Fiji Roads Authority on the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge. 

FRA Acting Chief Executive Rory Garland says following an advice from engineers they have decided to impose an 18 tonne weight limit on all vehicles using the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge.

He stresses that the 18 tonne weight limit will apply to both lanes of the bridge until the engineers have carried out checks and are satisfied that the other beams are safe for heavier vehicles.

The Fiji Roads Authority says buses will still have access to the bridge however trucks will need to lighten their loads to be allowed access.

All trucks with heavy loads will be inspected by LTA officials on both ends of the bridge before they are allowed access.

Fiji Roads Authority contractors have started repairs on the damaged section of the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge after the installation of a work platform.

The work platform was transported to the site and installed early this morning when the bridge was closed for an hour.

This will allow the second lane to be reopened to traffic.

FRA stresses there is no planned road closure today. 

They expect to complete the repair to the bridge by next Wednesday.

A crack in the steel beam under the bridge was discovered on Wednesday. 

Following advice from the engineers, the FRA had no choice but to close one lane of the bridge and undertake the immediate repair.

FRA has been advised that the cause of this crack was most likely due to recent excessive loads from overweight vehicles.

This crack was not apparent in the original check on the structure in 2012 and during a more recent check in May 2015.