Residents fear collapse of Nacaralevu Bridge

Residents of Waiqele in Labasa say they are fearful of using the Nacaralevu Bridge because of its deteriorating condition.

The old timber bridge is reportedly in extremely poor shape, with visible signs of structural decay. Drivers who rely on the crossing daily fear it could collapse at any time, potentially resulting in serious accidents or loss of life.

Waiqele resident Anuraag Sharma said the bridge had become a major safety hazard, particularly during the rainy season.

“Every time we drive over it, we worry because the wood is weak and damaged,” Mr Sharma said.

“You can feel the bridge shift under the weight of vehicles.”

He said the risk had increased with the cyclone season under way.

“We fear that the bridge could collapse at any time,” he said.

Another resident, Janendra Dutt, shared similar concerns, saying the bridge was critical for daily travel but no longer safe.

“School buses, trucks and ordinary cars use this bridge,” Mr Dutt said.

“If it collapses, the consequences will be devastating.”

He said the bridge became more dangerous during wet weather and posed a serious risk to both drivers and passengers.

In response to the concerns, Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer Bhan Pratap clarified that the bridge is a dual-use structure serving both the public and FSC operations.

He said the timber bridge is maintained by the Fiji Roads Authority.

An email sent to the Fiji Roads Authority seeking comment on the safety concerns remained unanswered when this story went to press.