Transport Infrastructure Investment Sector Project (formerly Bridge Replacement Project)

(i) Length of FRA roads rehabilitated to revised standards for safety & resilience.
(ii) Length of roads with minimum 3-Star rating for vehicle occupants based on iRAP assessments.
(iii) Population having access to resilient and safe roads
(iv) Number of Detailed Designs completed for jetties/wharves and ready to be procured

Output 1: Rehabilitated land and maritime transport infrastructure.
• The project will finance civil works to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, or upgrade existing roads, bridges, and rural jetties and wharves. It will also finance safety improvements on selected roads and bridges, which may include road safety furniture and streetlights. Subprojects will be selected in accordance with the approved subproject selection criteria framework. Where possible, subprojects will be grouped geographically into suitably sized and cost-effective contract packages that maximize local impact.
Output 2: Efficient project management and institutional strengthening.
• A project supervision team (PST) will be established consisting of four Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) staff to oversee the overall project implementation, selection of consulting services, procurement of civil works, accounting and financial management activities, safeguards monitoring and evaluation, and project reporting. Design and supervision consultants will be engaged to carry out subproject screening, feasibility studies, detailed design, procurement of civil works packages, construction supervision, and safeguards monitoring. The project will also support FRA in updating design and construction standards for roads and bridges to bring uniformity to road assets in Fiji, incorporate climate change adaptation considerations for more climate resilient road transport infrastructure, and reflect current international standards for road geometry, pavements, drainage, safety and associated structures. Assistance will also be provided to continue support for International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) activities, carry out independent road safety audits, and to implement the use of open contracting, which will involve regularly updating information and progress on FRA road contracts (including geotagged photos) on a publicly accessible website to enhance transparency of procurement. 5. The project will use a sector lending approach. The approach allows the government, through FRA as the implementing agency to lead identifying, prioritizing, appraising, designing, and implementing subprojects. FRA will propose the rehabilitation or replacement of high priority bridges, roads, and jetties or wharves as subprojects for review by Ministry of Economy1 (MOE); and approval by ADB and WB. Approval of subprojects will be based on compliance with eligibility criteria based on satisfactory technical, economic, social, and environmental assessments, as agreed between the government and ADB/WB.

• The project was classified as Gender Mainstreamed (GEN) under ADB’s classification system, meaning gender considerations were fully integrated into project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• A Gender Action Plan (GAP) was developed and successfully implemented. It focused on women’s participation, employment opportunities, safety, and equitable access to project benefits. Achievements are:
- 100% of GAP indicators achieved (5 achieved, 7 on track or likely achieved by completion).
- Gender-inclusive road designs implemented (better lighting, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings).
- Employment opportunities for women through contractors and local suppliers.
- Equal access to community consultations for both men and women during design and construction.
• Approximately 40,943 people benefited directly from improved roads, including 48.88% women residing along the upgraded Kings and Queens Roads.
• A Gender Specialist was contracted and extended until 30 June 2025 to finalize gender reporting and develop a Gender Policy Framework for the Fiji Roads Authority.
• FRA staff trained in gender-sensitive planning and reporting; gender considerations integrated into FRA’s project management systems and safeguard processes.
• The project enhanced women’s mobility, economic participation, and safety, while strengthening FRA’s institutional commitment to gender equality in transport planning.
• Gender responsive:
- Safer bus stops and crossings for women and children.
- Road lighting for increased safety at night.
- Improved footpaths for elderly and persons with disabilities.
- Inclusive design supporting equal access to transport services.

(i) Rural roads rehabilitated - By December 2022, 299km of roads were rehabilitated. Approximately 25 km had achieved minimum 3-star iRAP safety rating round 127 km of roads resealed in the west and northern divisions. 289 km of rural roads (unsealed) had been rehabilitated.
(ii) Bridges redesigned.
(iii) Jetties/wharves redesigned.
By December 2022, the 'Design and due diligence consultancy of 40 critical bridges and 3 jetties' is 33% complete.
(iv) Street lights reinstated and/or installed new - By December 2022, 381 street lights reinstated or newly installed.
(v) Community assets constructed that benefit women.
(vi) Project designs consider gender issues. Beneficiaries aware of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) satisfied with its functioning
(vii) By 2020 - Improved safety and resilience of land and maritime transport infrastructure [for users of project roads, bridges, and rural jetties and wharves [Number of bridges requiring high priority attention reduced by 30% (2014 Baseline: 100) Number of jetties requiring high priority attentiona reduced by 20% (2014 Baseline: 20) At least 2 subproject designs are informed by revised standards with climate resilience and safety considerations (2014 Baseline: 0)]
(viii) By2022 - Improved access to markets, employment opportunities, and social services [Increase in household income in selected subproject areas (Target and baseline to be established during subproject selection) Increase in utilization of healthcare services in selected subproject areas (Target and baseline to be established during subproject selection)]

Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Ordinary capital resources - USD 100,000,000.00
• Technical Assistance Special Fund - USD 700,000.00
• World Bank (WB) USD 50,000,000.00
Total amount USD 150,700,000.00

The project incorporates international design and construction standards, introduces the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), open contracting systems, and digital monitoring tools. These represent technology transfer and technical knowledge sharing from ADB/WB to Fiji Roads Authority (FRA). These includes:
• Updated road and bridge design standards to international level (geometry, drainage, pavements, safety).
• Implementation of open contracting and geo-tagged progress tracking for transparency.
• Adoption of climate-resilient engineering methods and road safety audits (iRAP).
• Digital monitoring through FRA’s MIS and safeguard management systems.

The project provided institutional strengthening and training to Fiji Roads Authority and other transport agencies. This includes:
• Establishment of a Project Supervision Team (PST) within FRA.
• Training and workshops on safeguards, project management, procurement, and monitoring.
• Gender Action Plan implementation and specialist support.
• Strengthening FRA’s capacity in financial management, environmental/social safeguards, and climate-resilient design.