Road access to several settlements in Rakiraki has been cut off following an accident on the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) bridge this morning.
Residents of Colasi, Mullau and Dugavatu are now unable to access the main road after an FSC vehicle was involved in an accident while crossing the bridge.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said a wood plank from the bridge lodged itself under the vehicle, resulting in damage to the drive sgaft.
The impact has reportedly dislodged several wooden bridge slabs, rendering the structure unsafe for use.
Following the accident, the bridge was closed to all traffic as a safety precaution, leaving the surrounding settlements temporarily isolated.
Residents said concerns about the condition of the bridge had been raised repeatedly in the past, with calls for urgent repairs going unaddressed.
“This bridge has been in poor condition for a long time,” one resident said.
“The wooden planks are loose, and it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.”
With schools opening tomorrow, authorities are expected to assess the damage to the bridge and determine the next steps, including temporary repairs or alternative access arrangements, as residents continue to call for a permanent solution to ensure their safety.
