Residents residing along the Old Queens Road in Waina­doi will soon have a proper road access from the main road to their community.

The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) chief executive, Jonathan Moore has confirmed that FRA will con­struct a new road for the commu­nity to replace the heavily deterio­rated crossing which was worrying the community for a while.

The small crossing on Old Queens Road near the Police Post (Waina­doi 1 Old Bridge) currently pro­vides access to residents and the Ram Sami Broiler Farm.

However, as a result of heavy downpour in the past few weeks, it went underwater and was closed for access.

Mr Moore said the decision to make the new road was made after having talks with the residents.

“The plan is to close of this cross­ing permanently due to its heav­ily deteriorated and structurally unsalvageable condition so FRA carried out consultation with the community residing on the Old Queens Rd (sitting within the FRA reserve),” Mr Moore said.

And FRA will divert the road through old reserve to match into Queens Rd – and then close this bridge off for good, he added.

But for this to happen, Mr Moore has advised locals living within the FRA reserve to dismantle wash­rooms and kitchens they have con­structed over the road.

“We are looking to get a crew to start construction works on site – mid next week.”

The project will be completed in about four weeks however this de­pends on members of the public clearing their obstruction from the road reserve and the weather.

In the meantime, FRA has been maintaining this bridge and have installed temporary propping’s to hold up the deck.

“Whilst we are looking at the pro­cess of constructing a new road in, FRA will ensure that the current bridge is safe for travel,” Mr Moore said.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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