Relief as repairs start on logging hit road in rural Macuata

After weeks of frustration and near-misses, resi­dents of a rural Macuata community are finally seeing relief as repair works begin on a badly damaged access road.

The waterlogged stretch had become a daily hazard for motorists, with deep potholes and soft ground making travel difficult, especially after rain.

For those who rely on the road for work, school and basic transport, the damage had taken a heavy toll.

Heavy vehicles regularly use the route, and dur­ing wet weather the surface quickly deteriorates, leaving smaller vehicles vulnerable.

Last week, the situation reached a breaking point when a lorry became stuck fast in one of the larg­er potholes, highlighting just how dangerous the road had become.

In Navidamu, Avneel Prasad said the incident underscored the urgency of repairs.

He recalled towing a four-tonne lorry out of the mud using his vehicle and a rope after it became trapped.

"It took a lot of effort, but we managed to free it," he said.

"If a truck can get stuck like that, smaller cars and motorcycles are at serious risk."

The Fiji Roads Authority confirmed that grading and compaction works began this week, with the most severely damaged sections prioritized.

In a statement, the authority said the worst dam­age was occurring at points where heavy vehicles, including logging trucks, frequently turn in and out of access areas.

Ongoing maintenance has been promised to pre­vent further deterioration.

Residents have welcomed the start of the works and say they are hopeful the improvements will last.

Many are now calling for regular monitoring to ensure the road remains safe and passable, par­ticularly during periods of heavy rain and contin­ued logging activity.

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