Fugro has supported McConnell Dowell’s construction of the new Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge in Tonga by performing Osterberg Cell® (O-Cell®) pile testing to assess ground conditions and validate the design of the bridge piles and foundations.
The 720‑metre-long bridge, currently under construction across the Fangaʻuta Lagoon, will provide a vital connection between Nukuʻalofa and Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu. Once completed, the bridge will significantly reduce travel times and traffic congestion, while also serving as a critical emergency evacuation route for local communities. Delivered by McConnell Dowell and funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, the project is expected to deliver long-term economic and social benefits for the Tongan community.
In addition to Fugro’s ability to rapidly mobilise advanced geotechnical testing capabilities in island nations and remote environments, Fugro brings extensive global experience in bridge and major infrastructure projects, applying proven methodologies to challenging ground conditions worldwide. For the Fangaʻuta Lagoon Bridge, Fugro conducted high-capacity O-Cell® pile testing within coral formations. In this environment, traditional pile testing methods are often impractical due to access, load limitations, and constructability constraints.
The O-Cell® tests enabled direct measurement of pile performance under high loads, providing critical insights into pile–soil interaction within the coral strata. These results significantly reduced geotechnical uncertainty, allowing the bridge pile design to be validated with confidence and enabling construction activities to proceed without delay. Testing was carried out on two different pile diameters to support design optimisation.
“Fugro’s APAC personnel worked tirelessly with the McConnell Dowell project manager, Mr. Frank Schubert, to bring the project in on time and on budget, with zero safety incidents and a happy crew,” said Brad Dalton, Fugro Project Director. “We would like to formally thank Mr. Schubert for facilitating our teams and making the journey to success a highly enjoyable and professional one.”
