By Moffat Mamu
For more than 50 years, Kukudu suspension (swinging) bridge on Kolombangara, Western Province in Solomon Islands stood the test of time as it faced ongoing threat from rising ocean tides.
Over five decades this bridge served as a lifeline to connect Kukudu Adventist College and the Kukudu Seventh Day Adventist headquarter which are separated by Piongo river.
This iconic infrastructure has always been associated with Kukudu’s history.
And, 22 October 2024 will go down the history of Kukudu as the day this swinging bridge was finally decommissioned, to be relocated to a new site further inland.
Because of the risks associated with climate change the old bridge will be re-built at a new site located on a higher ground.
It was a sad occasion for the students, staff and church workers when the brief ceremony was held in October.
The first bridge was built over Piongo river soon after the second world war in 1945. Some of the first Adventist missionaries who were stationed at Kukudu SDA headquarter helped to construct it.
Kukudu commenced as an elementary school around 1948.
The first bridge was made of timber but during heavy rain and flooding, it was often damaged.
So, a new concept was designed by an overseas volunteer engineer and was constructed by Solomon Islands engineer Cyril Vavozo.
The suspension bridge was designed in a way that it can swing from side to side. It uses cable wires and steel structure. The walking platform was made of timber.
The cables were held by few log pillars located at both ends of the river banks. The pillars were held tightly by chains connected to concrete foundations built at the river banks. It stood more than a metre over the river.
The swinging bridge is located at the end of the river mouth facing the ocean.
However, sadly over time as coastal erosion and the rising ocean tide kicked it, it slowly chipped away the shoreline, exposing one of the concrete foundations that hold the chains and cables. As coastal erosion intensifies, it became clear, there is a need to save the bridge from imminent threat posed by the rising tide.
A number of applications for support have been submitted for help.
Gratefully, three years ago the Western Provincial Government finally approved the project by allocating funds in its 2023-2024 budget.
In October this year, the Church administration decided to organise a decommissioning ceremony to offer the final prayers, acknowledge and honour the service rendered by the old bridge before it was dismantled.
Soon after the decommissioning service most of the materials and equipment from the old bridge were removed from the site and are now being used at the new bridge.
Solomon Islands, like many Pacific countries, is vulnerable to tropical cyclones and flooding, but more gradual climate-driven changes like sea level rise and saltwater intrusion are now posing threats.
The situation affecting the Kukudu swinging bridge is a classic reality of how serious sea level rise is threatening many coastlines, communities and infrastructures.
It means climate change is no longer a fairytale as it not only displaces communities but also displace critical infrastructures.
I visited the Kukudu in late 2022 but my latest visit came with a bit of shock.
This is because the stretch of land in front of the bridge where the trees and vegetations once stood have all vanished, washed away and submerged.
It’s becoming clearer there is no guarantee that the stretch of shoreline or infrastructure we see today standing will be still there in two years’ time because of the rate at which coastal erosion and tides are happening.
The swinging bridge is part of Kukudu’s history and to see it being threatened was a sad case for many.
A retired church minister Pr Caleb Pita said, Kukudu bridge was rebuilt over three times because it was damaged and washed away by flood waters.
Fifty years ago, an overseas volunteer saw the need for a permanent bridge and he designed the new bridge.
“So, it’s important to save this historic bridge,” he said.
Vavozo who helped to construct the bridge based on the supplied design acknowledged the bridge has served residents of Kukudu for many years.
Speaking at the decommissioning service in October he briefly shared a history of the bridge.
In 2022 he told Solomon Star in an interview that there is a need to protect the bridge because nowhere in Solomon Islands can this bridge can be found except Kukudu.
“This bridge is very special to the history of Kukudu,” he said.
Kukudu Adventist College Principal Bekery Keremama said, the bridge is an important infrastructure serving the students and staff of the college for years.
Students normally cross the bridge to access the health services and shops.
Some of the current Kukudu students said, it’s sad to see such historic bridge being demolished.
However, they acknowledged the importance of relocating the bridge to save it from being damaged by coastal erosion.
Form three student, Madina Samanose said, the suspension bridge is one of the unique bridges in Solomon Islands and forms part of the history of Kukudu.
“So, it’s important to save it now rather than leaving to collapse later on.”
She added, saving the bridge is important for the benefit of future users of this infrastructure.
A former Kukudu auxiliary staff Denis Timothy who used lived close to the bridge told Solomon Star that the negative impact of rising sea level posed a threat to the swinging bridge.
“Its future is at stake as a result of the raging tides. Its needs to be saved without delay,” he said more than a year.
Last week after having learnt of the project, he expressed delight that it’s good to hear that something has been done to save this old historic infrastructure.
As work commenced two of the main cable lines have been pulled over the river.
Project Contractor Sam Galo said, in the absence of the bridge a ray-boat is currently being used to ferry the public across the river.
The project is expected to be completed mid next year.
It’s a sad and heart-breaking scene when the old bridge was finally pulled down recently, young Samanose said.
However, she said, it’s good that this historic bridge is being saved by locating it to a new site.
This is a story grant supported by Earth Journalism Network.
