Hume Industries was recently awarded the tender by the Public Works Department to manufacture bridge beams for the Wainibuku Bridge Project.

The Wainibuku Bridge Project involves the widening of the existing Wainibuku bridge which is located in 9 miles Nasinu from a 2-lane to a 4-lane bridge. According to Hume’s Acting General Manager, Mr Aloesi Elder, the approach from the Nausori and Kinoya ends of the bridge will be widened to cater for this change. Businesses and people within the Nausori/Suva corridor will tremendously benefit from the project as it will allow for better traffic flow thus reducing travelling time considerably.

Hume commenced mobilization of the project towards the end of October with the setting up of production facilities on site. The exercise is anticipated to take 4 – 6 weeks after which the production of 7 x 32 metre long beams will be manufactured.

The Wainibuku Bridge Project is the first project that has provided Hume with the opportunity to cast beams on-site. Mr Elder said, “This project is unique in that it is the first project where we are casting the beams on-site. The beams will be prestressed and post-tensioned on-site also which is an added bonus for all involved.”

Mr Elder added that “The beams are also 1.4m high and 32m long and the company has never cast bridge beams of this size in a single cast. The longest size ever cast previously was around 1m high and 12m long. This size of beam is going to be the standard for future bridge projects in Fiji and this project will reflect well on Hume’s capability to meet the manufacturing requirements of future project work.”

The project provides the company with a revenue of $320,000.00 FJD and also showcases its ability to manufacture large sized beams on-site. “Transporting of structural products of this size is physically impossible in most cases and this new capability of ours provides contractors with an option of engaging us to precast their beams on-site and also in remote areas of the region therefore enabling us to fulfill our objective of being the preferred supplier of precast and prestressed concrete products locally and within the Pacific region”, further added Mr Elder. Hume’s role in the project will be completed before the end of the year. 

About Hume:
Hume Industries is a major division of Basic Industries Limited, a company jointly owned by Fijian Holdings Limited and Holcim New Zealand Limited, a leading supplier of cement, aggregates, ready mixed concrete and lime. The Hume product range incorporates solutions for pipe and box culvert requirements, bridge and tunnel systems, a range of environmental products focused on storm water quality and the emerging water resource management sectors, buildings and communications products, products for the rail industry and a range of products for the rural sectors.

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