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Overview

Chinese Government provides $6.68 million grant for Vaipua Bridge Reconstruction Project

Commitments (Constant USD, 2023)$9,408,420
Commitment Year•2008Country of Activity•TongaDirect Recipient Country of Incorporation•TongaSector•Transport And StorageFlow Type•Grant

Status

Project lifecycle

Completion

Pipeline: PledgePipeline: CommitmentImplementationCompletion

Timeline

Key dates

Commitment date
Nov 14, 2008
Start (actual)
Mar 31, 2011
End (actual)
Dec 14, 2012

Geospatial footprint

Map overview

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The purpose of the project was the construct a two-lane bridge — that is 85 meters long and 9 meters wide — to facilitate transportation between Vava'u district and the town of Neiafuo. More detailed locational information can be found at https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/917501742

Stakeholders

Organizations involved in projects and activities supported by financial and in-kind transfers from Chinese government and state-owned entities

Funding agencies

Government Agencies

  • China Ministry of Commerce

Receiving agencies

Government Agencies

  • Government of the Kingdom of Tonga

Implementing agencies

State-owned companies

  • China Railway Fifth Engineering Group Co., Ltd

Loan desecription

Chinese Government provides $6.68 million grant for Vaipua Bridge Reconstruction Project

Narrative

Full Description

Project narrative

On September 2, 2008, Vaipua Bridge was declared unsafe. It collapsed and was in a state of disuse. Then, on November 14, 2008, China’s Ambassador to Tonga Fan Guijin and Tonga's Foreign Minister Tupou signed a grant agreement for the Vaipua Bridge Reconstruction Project. In total, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reportedly committed $6.68 million (T$13.6 million) of grant funding for this project. The purpose of the project was the construct a two-lane bridge — that is 85 meters long and 9 meters wide — to facilitate transportation between Vava'u district and the town of Neiafuo. The foundation of the bridge was to be made of cement but the handrails on both sides were to be made of hardwood. Streetlights were also to be installed on the bridge. China Railway Fifth Engineering Group CR5 or 中铁五局集团有限公) was the contractor responsible for implementation. A foundation laying ceremony took place on March 31, 2011. The bridge was officially completed and opened for use on December 14, 2012.

Staff comments

The Chinese project title is Vaipua大桥立项 or 中国援汤加瓦瓦乌瓦伊普阿大桥项目 or 汤加瓦瓦乌瓦伊普阿大桥项目. Vaipua Bridge is a vital short cut to Neiafu for the people living in the western district of Vava’u. Neiafu is an administrative center located on the south coast of Vava’u, an island chain in Tonga. It is the second largest town in the country and consists of an estimated population of 6000 people.