Road works conducted 30 years ago may have caused the deterioration of Fiji’s roads, says Fiji Roads Authority chief executive officer Jonathan Moore.

Mr Moore in a press conference at the FRA Office in Suva yesterday, said some of the reasons why the roads were in its current stages was because not just five years ago; but 30 years ago, the quality of roads were questionable.

“We are looking to address the issue of quality now,” he said.

Mr Moore said the difference then and now was that FRA was going to ensure more supervision on the work was conducted and ensured the need to add seal coats to preserve the life of the roads.

Mr Moore said four laboratories would soon be used for testing the quality of materials with the inclusion of mobile laboratories

“The mobile labs can do basic tests of gravels and materials that we find in the distant areas away from the cities which can save us a lot of time and resources.

“To make sure work is done proper and use the right materials we can use the mobile labs.”

He said the only existing laboratory was currently in Samabula and soon there would be laboratories in Walu Bay, Nadi and the North.

Mr Moore said FRA suspected that the thickness of the road constructions in the past were not up to the current standards such as the thickness of the layers, seal coats not used which led to quality issues.

“It’s about making sure there is a right distance between the layer and the steel, durability in the past had a lot had to do with it,” he said.

Project Updates:

In Suva: the Grantham Road roundabout to Gaji Road and Karsanji Street was now open and a few finishing details are to be completed soon.

Mr Moore said FRA had decided to remove the road work team from the Nabua roundabout in order to focus on Gaji Road.

“Now they are back at the Nabua roundabout and the works should be completed by the first week of March,” he said.

Project on Kings Road-Edinburgh Drive:

Mr Moore said the current Edinburgh Drive and Ratu Mara Road works were outstanding and would be completed in April.

Mr Moore said FRA had added another work in the contract which involved the Kings Road between Makoi and Laqere.

“Investigation of the outgoing traffic was checked and we found some deficiency and decided to work on it,” he said.

Nadi: Work on Martintar from the airport to Wailoaloa junction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Street lighting: FRA is expected to award the street lighting contract for Labasa, Savusavu and Wainibokasi.

Mr Moore said around 5900 solar lamps were now in storage in a secure dry area away from damage for the Suva area.

Traffic signals: The required parts would be in by the end of this month. From the beginning of next month there would be a big emphasis on the traffic signals.

Bus shelters: FRA was now working on 14 bus shelters from the 84 in the contract.

Mr Moore said work was expected to be completed by September this year. Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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