When school starts next Monday, the Fiji Roads Authority is expecting eased traffic congestion on Suva roads.

With the opening of the Vatuwaqa and Stinson Parade bridges today, the authority believes this will help ease the flow of traffic during the peak morning (6.30am – 8.30am) and afternoon (5pm – 7pm) hours.

When the Stinson Parade bridge opens, they will review its diversion priorities. For the time being there will be no changes to the current status. Therefore, Scott Street (in front of Village 6 cinemas) will remain a two-way street.

Prohibition of Peak Time Work

FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore also confirmed that there would be a re-imposition of the peak time working prohibition that was effective prior to the holidays.

Concern

Mr Moore also expressed concerns about the driving attitude and manners of motorists in or near the FRA work zones in Suva and Nadi.

“They are driving way too fast through work zones and we have workers who are literally a metre away from the traffic doing the job they are paid to do.

“When you see a road sign that says 30, please drive at 30 kilometres per hour. There are lives at stake over there and they are very close to where you are driving, so you can’t be driving at 50 kilometres per hour. It is unfair on the workers as well.”

As part of the Suva Arterial Road Upgrade Project (SARUP 1) FRA is reconstructing/ upgrading the roads in the greater Suva area. FRA’s contractor for SARUP 1 is China Railway Fifth Group.

Under SARUP 1, there are 8 sections of roads currently being upgraded.

These include:

Queens Road (Tamavua-i-wai bridge to Lami Bridge) Work will start this year

Edinburgh Drive (Walu Bay round-about to FNU lights) work in progress

Ratu Mara Road (FNU lights to Lakeba Street lights) Work in progress

Kings Road A (Nabua round-about to Centrepoint lights) Work in progress

Kings Road E (Centrepoint lights to Kinoya lights) Work in progress

Kings Road B (Laqere lights to Makoi lights) Work in progress

MacArthur street – Completed

Gaji Road- Work in progress

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj