Heavy machinery, marine equipment and construction crews have been mobilised at the Fangaʻuta Lagoon site, marking the start of on‑site works for Tonga’s long‑awaited new bridge.
The construction of the 720‑metre Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge is part of a major US$97 million infrastructure project funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
The project is designed to strengthen the key transport link between Nukuʻalofa and the eastern side of Tongatapu, while also improving traffic flow, emergency evacuation routes, and climate resilience.
The project is highly anticipated—not only because it is the first of its kind in Tonga, but also because it is expected to ease the long‑standing traffic congestion that residents have endured for years when travelling to and from Nukuʻalofa.
The commencement of construction has already drawn educational interest, with students taking part in a field trip to the site, travelling by boat from ʻUmusī to Folaha and gaining a firsthand view of the scale and investment involved in the project.
Photos shared on Facebook by a field‑trip class from Tupou Tertiary Institute showed students witnessing the dramatic transformation of the surrounding environment as construction got underway.
A caption accompanying the photos, written in Tongan, said: “It was a pleasure taking my class on a field trip to the bridge construction site. We started from ʻUmusī and travelled by boat to Folaha. The students were amazed to witness such a large‑scale project and the level of investment involved.”
The news comes after an ancient cemetery in Folaha was recently excavated to clear the path for a new access road to the long‑awaited Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge.
The new bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2028 or early 2029.
