Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

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

$6.68M USD

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of the Kingdom of Tonga
Country	Tonga
Start Date	Nov 14, 2008
End Date	Apr 14, 2030
Duration	7,821 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`64681`

Grant Description

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.

📚 Sources & References

TONGA NATIONAL INFASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN
樊桂金大使与图普外长签署Vaipua大桥立项协议
中国援汤加瓦瓦乌瓦伊普阿大桥项目举行奠基仪式
Pacific 12 Dec 2012 New bridge aids Tonga's Vava'u economy
Officially re-open of Vaipua Bridge by the Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala at Vava'u
Crown Prince opens new Vaipua Bridge
Pacific Aid Database Map
New Vaipua Bridge to cost $12 million
CHINA TO REBUILD AUTOMOBILE BRIDGE IN TONGA
驻汤加樊桂金大使与图普外长签署Vaipua大桥立项协议
China in the Pacific: The New Banker in Town Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.

All Grantees

Government of the Kingdom of Tonga

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