Australia, Fiji partner to improve road network performance

Australia’s National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) has signed a landmark partnership with the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to significantly improve the quality, resilience and long‑term performance of Fiji’s road network.

The collaboration will deliver a Road Network Improvement Programme focused on strengthening critical transport infrastructure across the country, supporting economic growth, community connectivity, disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Under the partnership, FRA and NTRO will work across four key areas: network condition assessment and baselining, asset management advisory and system development, materials science and laboratory advisory, and capacity building and knowledge transfer.

FRA chief executive officer Apisai Ketenilagi said the partnership would help deliver safer and more reliable roads for all Fijians while strengthening resilience to climate impacts.

‘This collaboration with NTRO will provide us with world-class technical expertise and tools to better understand, manage, and improve our road network. It will enable us to deliver safer, more reliable roads for all Fijians, while strengthening our resilience to climate impacts," Mr Ketenilagi said.

He added that there programme would not only strengthen Fiji’s road network through evidence-based decision making but also see the transfer of skills and knowledge between our two nations.’

NTRO’s executive director and leader of the ‘NTRO-Pacific’ team, Jason Sprott highlighted the importance of the ‘co-designed’ programme.

"We are extremely proud to partner with the FRA team to deliver an exciting programme of work,: Mr Sprott said.