His Majesty Breaks Ground on Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge Project
His Majesty King Tupou VI officially breaks ground on the Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge project, marking the start of a transformative infrastructure development linking Nukuʻalofa to south-eastern Tongatapu. The project is funded by the ADB and World Bank and constructed by McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd.
His Majesty King Tupou VI today officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the much-anticipated Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge, a transformative project designed to strengthen Tonga’s connectivity, enhance climate resilience, and safeguard communities across Tongatapu.
The ceremony marked the official commencement of works on a 720-metre, two-lane bridge and 2.1 kilometres of approach roads, linking Nukuʻalofa to the south-eastern side of the island. The project is jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank and will be delivered by McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd, a New Zealand-based company recognised for its successful completion of the Queen Sālote Wharf Upgrade.
In his address, King Tupou VI emphasised that the bridge is more than an engineering achievement. “It represents our shared commitment to building a resilient Tonga,” His Majesty said. “This bridge will provide safety in times of disaster, opportunity in times of growth, and connection for generations to come.”
The Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge is part of a wider government strategy to make Nukuʻalofa’s infrastructure more resilient to sea-level rise, storm surges, and flooding — all increasing threats as climate change intensifies. Alongside the bridge, the project will include the upgrading of drainage and water-supply systems to better manage heavy rainfall and coastal erosion.
Construction is expected to take approximately three and a half years, with about 80 per cent of the workforce to be locally employed, continuing McConnell Dowell’s commitment to community engagement and skills development. The project’s completion will ease traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and establish a critical evacuation route in times of emergency.
Fraser Wyllie, McConnell Dowell’s Managing Director for New Zealand and the Pacific, said the company was honoured to continue its partnership with the Tongan people. “We are not just building bridges, we are building futures,” he said. “This project is about improving lives, creating opportunities, and strengthening the nation’s resilience.”
The event was attended by Cabinet ministers, diplomatic representatives, local officials, and members of the construction team. As the first earth was turned at the lagoon’s edge, the ceremony symbolised both progress and preparedness — a clear signal that Tonga’s path forward will be built on sustainability, partnership, and national pride.
