Work is progressing on the Suva S2 Project of the Nadi and Suva Road Upgrading Project (NASRUP). Steps have to be taken to protect Water Authority of Fiji’s existing infrastructure.

This is given three major pipes supplying water to Valelevu and the parts of Suva through Toorak and Flagstaff lie along the Kings Road section where road widening is being undertaken now.

Those travelling along the Suva-Nausori corridor may notice construction work at the Nasinu junction and intermittent closure of roads.

This is because of the works going on underneath and beneath the slope to protect Water Authority of Fiji’s infrastructure from getting damaged during the road upgrades.

NASRUP Program manager, Zaina Khan, highlighted this during a press conference yesterday at the site.

A temporary protection method known as soil nailing is being used to provide reinforcement to the slope wherein the WAF pipes lie as heavy earthwork construction and excavation begins in the area.

She said vibrations from the use of heavy machinery could inadvertently introduce unforeseen risks and is one of the key elements that the project team is proactively working on controlling.

Ms Khan said: “The public can’t see any work happening because it is all going on underneath and behind on the slope. People will drive by and they are going to feel like they are inconvenienced.

“But there is a reason as work is going on the slope and in order to protect that from vehicle vibrations, we have to shut the lanes.”

She added the construction work is also necessary because protecting the WAF asset here is just as important as protecting the road asset.

FRA said the Suva S2 road widening (from Caqiri road to Pilling road) currently under construction by China Railway First Group will eventually result in the road network be transformed from three to four lanes.

Progress

Ms Khan also explained they have worked on getting the land and the property accommodated.

She said therefore there will be  a lot more of the road building activity being done and seen now.

“We recently finished the other construction down at Omkar Road but our focus here is basically on road widening,” she said.

“Once we get the four lanes done, then we will move on to fencing and constructions of footpaths.”