Boulders block Waidamudamu Bridge after closure

Residents of Vunimoli in Labasa have been left confused and frustrated after boulders were placed on the Waidamudamu Bridge on Saturday, days after the bridge was closed to traffic and while the community was planning temporary repairs.

The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) said the matter is under active police investigation and it will be in a better position to comment once investigations are concluded. FRA confirmed that police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Residents said the bridge had already been closed due to safety concerns, and the community was in the process of organising temporary repair work to restore access.

Korotari resident Pradeep Lal said the issue had been ongoing for more than a week, with no action taken.

“It has been one week since the problems were identified, but nothing has been fixed. The road conditions are poor, the bridge is unfixed, and the bypass road is worse than the main road. There is only one bypass available. This is unsafe and unacceptable,” Mr Lal said.

He said people travelling to work and school were facing daily hardship.

“This is a serious road safety issue. Delays in emergencies can cost lives. We have elderly people and residents with medical conditions in this area. People are suffering because of the poor road conditions,” he said.

Mr Lal questioned who would take responsibility for repairing the bridge and improving road conditions.

“Who will repair the bridge? Who will fix the road conditions? The people in this area need answers,” he said.

Another Vunimoli resident, Sambhu Lal, said the placement of the boulders had added to residents’ frustration.

“The bridge was already closed and we were planning to repair it. Then suddenly boulders were placed on the bridge. We do not know who did this. It has made things worse for us. We have children and elderly people in our community and we need help,” he said.

Residents are calling on relevant authorities to urgently intervene and restore safe access for road users.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu confirmed that investigations into the Waidamudamu Bridge incident are continuing.