SMEC supervising upgrade of Central Cross Island Road in Samoa

SMEC has been engaged to supervise civil works for upgrading the Central Cross Island Road (CCIR) in Samoa. The CCIR is one of the main economic arteries on Upolu Island and one of several key roads damaged when Tropical Cyclone Evan struck the Pacific Island nation in 2012. The project is being carried out in association with local sub-consultant MMSM Ltd for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Samoa and is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The upgrade of the CCIR is part of Samoa’s ambitious transport program aimed at strengthening the resilience of its roads and bridges. The program objective is to reconstruct critical transport links to higher standards to better withstand climate change and extreme weather event impacts.

The CCIR is approximately 20 km long and connects eight villages along the way. The existing narrow, winding and steep 4-5 m wide two-lane road will be widened to a standard 7 m carriageway width. The upgraded alignment will include a 4.5 km long urban section and a 15.5 km rural section. Improved road and pedestrian safety features will be introduced. New drainage will be incorporated with increased capacity for climate change impacts. A substantial number of existing utility services will be relocated, land will be acquired, and fences and hedges will be removed or relocated to accommodate the wider road.

The upgraded road will significantly improve safety for all road users, including pedestrians. It will increase access to social services (education, health) and economic and employment opportunities for the communities served, contributing towards reducing poverty that is concentrated in rural areas and achieving inclusive growth and development.

The project will also be a major contributor to the island’s disaster preparedness as it will provide a sustainable alternative route between the northern and southern coasts for evacuation, post-disaster relief, and possible rehabilitation work. Improved road maintenance capabilities and road network management along with a strengthened land transport institution are also expected outcomes.

Since 2015, SMEC has provided consulting services for this project, initially under World Bank funding. This included surveys, investigations, and preliminary design. Later SMEC provided technical assistance due diligence services directly to the ADB, helping to secure its funding for construction. In parallel with this engagement, SMEC completed detailed designs and civil works bid documents directly for the LTA under Green Climate Fund financing.

Location

Samoa

Client

Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Samoa

Funding Agency

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

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