Tonga Climate Resilient Transport Project II

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Tonga is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change and natural disasters. The World Risk Index 2019 ranks it third among the top 20 most at-risk countries, with regular storm events such as Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita in 2018 and TC Harold in 2020 reinforcing infrastructure vulnerabilities in the country.The proposed Tonga Climate Resilience Transport Project II (TCRTP II) project builds on the current World Bank Tonga Climate Resilience Transport Project (P161539) (TCRTP), approved on November 29, 2018. A robust understanding of the project scope, objectives, risks, and borrower capacity exists, with the existing Project Management Unit (PMU) staff expected to transition to the new project which will leverage experience, existing documentation and lessons learnt. Strong community knowledge and support for TCRTP has carried through to TCRTP II with many benefits, risks, impacts and mitigation measures consistent between the two projects.To address vulnerabilities, the TCRTP II focuses on developing climate resilient and safe transport infrastructure building on the achievements of TCRTP. The Project will also leverage off achievements and lessons learnt from the Tonga Transport Sector Consolidation Project (TSCP) which helped develop the capacity of local contractors including Tongan road contractors and the Tonga Aviation Investment Project (TAIP), which completed improvement works at Tongan Airports.Component 1 provides technical assistance to strengthen planning and policies in Tonga’s transport sector. Subcomponents will include (i) gender-informed commercial driver licensing training and accreditation which commenced under TCRTP, (ii) road sector climate vulnerability assessments and preparation of climate resilient road strategies for Tongatapu and Ha’apai, (iii) technical assistance in road and maritime infrastructure planning and policies including provision of capacity building for improving climate-informed road asset management, road and traffic related acts and codes, road safety, and public transport, and (iv) provision of technical advices to maritime policies including International Maritime Organization compliance and the development of a Maritime Maintenance Fund. Component 2 aims to improve existing infrastructure incorporating safety and climate resilience and includes feasibility studies, detailed design, and physical works for identified road, aviation, and maritime assets to improve their resilience to climate-related hazards and/or events. This component would finance works to road, aviation and maritime infrastructure across Tonga including:i) rehabilitation and/or upgrading of approximately 45km of roads across Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua, and Niuatoputapu (of which approximately 30km design was undertaken as part of TCRTP) including road safety audits and works at selected high road accident risk locations (note that at concept stage it was planned to rehabilitate 80km of roads which has reduced during preparation); ii) technical assessment, detailed engineering design, and rehabilitation/reconstruction of breakwater, berth for small boats, and a passenger terminal at Nafanua Port in ‘Eua;iii) technical assessment, detailed engineering design and rehabilitation of breakwater, berth and container storage area at Taufa'ahau Port in Ha'apai;iv) Feasibility study of a slipway for domestic vessels at Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu v) resurfacing of the runway at Kaufana Airport on ‘Eua; vi) acquisition of safety equipment and facilities, such as rescue fire trucks, construction of a storage facility and provision of ancillary equipment and goods to improve capacity for emergency landing response and readiness at the Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu airports; and vii) maintenance of critical mechanical and electrical assets at Tongatapu and Vava’u international airports.Reconstruction of 'Eua Port passenger terminal and part of road rehabilitation works are expected to be financed retroactively.Component 3 will provide funding to support project management and implementation, such as hiring of PMU staff and technical advisers, operations, and external audits to support PMU in project implementation.Component 4 is a Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) to support rapid response to emergency situations.