An expert from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yusaku Imaizumi is in Samoa providing training for a group of engineers from the Land and Transport Authority (LTA) during a recent inspection of the Lelata Bridge. 

This will help enhance skills in bridge maintenance. 

This initiative forms part of a broader, ongoing two-year partnership (2023 - 2025) with LTA. Under this project, several experts in road design and maintenance management have been dispatched to Samoa to build local capacity in critical transport sectors, including roads, bridges, and drainage systems.

“Our goal is to help LTA establish a full bridge maintenance cycle that includes regular inspections, diagnostics, appropriate measures, and detailed record-keeping. This cycle is vital for building long-term infrastructure resilience and reliability," said Mr Imaizumi.

Samoa's road maintenance and management sector is navigating a range of challenges as it continues to build experience and technical expertise. 

"A key focus is on traffic safety, with efforts to enhance strategies and explore innovative approaches to manage vehicle speed effectively. However, these undertakings are further complicated by severe slope failures, often triggered by natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. These additional challenges have made it difficult for Samoa to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to protect its transport network.

The ongoing JICA initiative addresses these issues by deploying expert engineers in various specialized fields, including traffic safety, slope stabilization, and preventive maintenance. The recent training led by Mr Imaizumi focused on practical, hands-on skills necessary for conducting thorough bridge inspections – an essential component of infrastructure management.

LTA engineers expressed strong enthusiasm for the training, recognising the importance of adopting preventive maintenance practices. Such approaches not only improve bridge safety but also reduce costly repairs and significantly extend the lifespan of vital infrastructure.