Preparatory work underway for China Road Upgrade Project

Preparatory work for the China-Aid Niue Road Upgrade Project has already commenced. 

An advance team arrived on the island last Friday and are residing at the Niue Youth Centre where work on building accommodation is also progressing for the main Chinese road contingent yet to arrive in a few months.

BCN News spoke with Director of Utilities Clinton Chapman on Wednesday this week. 

“At the moment we have the advance team here of about ten people. The China contractor contracted for the job have already started the preparatory work so that includes the accommodation based here at the Niue Youth Centre.”

“Our schedule, we are looking at starting some of the minor works in April and the main sealing of the roads most likely in June when the rest of the equipment for the China contractor arrives in Niue.”

The main contingent for the road upgrade project will include fifty staff who are expected to arrive on the island in May or June this year to work full time. 

“For the next three months, leading up to June, we will be starting, at the first stage, will be from Tuila at the power station towards Kaimiti where the main junction is to the hospital. From there, up to Lalokafika through that way connecting with the main Hakupu road.”

Clinton says that the team will possibly be working on the foundation for the footpath that will be coming from the middle of Alofi all the way up to the Niue Public Service building in Fonuakula. 

In December 2022, the pre-start ceremony for the China Aid Niue Road Upgrade Project was officially opened by Premier Dalton Tagelagi and China Ambassador to Niue HE Wang Xiaolong. From this time, it was clear that the commencement of the project will begin in April 2023 this year.