Long-awaited Legalega Road upgrade brings relief to community

Seventy-nine-year-old Legalega resident Hari Ram applauded the Government for transforming their road.

The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has confirmed the sealing of this road in Nadi is now complete, along with drainage improvement works.

Legalega is about three-minute drive to Nadi International Airport, and the road is connected to the main highway in the airport corridor.

Mr Ram’s parents, who arrived from India decades ago, settled in the small sugarcane farming community in Legalega, Nadi.

He said before he was born, Legalega Road existed as a sugarcane farm access road.

Now he has four children, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. At the age of 79, he has finally seen a transformation on their road. Mr Ram lives near the roadside.

“I thought maybe I am gone, then this road will be tar-sealed, and I will not be able to witness it. But thanks to the Government, I am still alive and have seen great changes to our roads,” he said.

“Now, with this new road, there will be no more dust at the place of worship, a Methodist Church opposite us. Our children will not be affected by breathing dust every day, and residents living near the roadside will no longer have to close their doors and windows to breathe fresh air.”

“Night and day, we do not sit longer with our visitors on our porch because of the dust. When it is bad weather, our children do not go to school because bus operators do not want their buses to operate on this muddy road with potholes.”

He said the new road has advantages and risks and suggested the FRA install three speed humps.

On one side, the new road is good, but on the other, some drivers are taking advantage by speeding.

Mr Ram claimed two accidents happened recently, claiming the life of a child and a woman who, he said, was returning from work and ended up in a ditch to avoid a driver who was intoxicated and driving at high speed.

“This is going to be a busy road as it connects to the airport, so I am suggesting to the FRA that a signboard for speed limits and three humps be placed on the road,” he said.

The FRA confirmed a total of 650 metres has been sealed, providing safer and more reliable access for daily commuters, school children, and nearby residents.

“These upgrades will improve road durability and support better connectivity for the growing Legalega community,” a statement said.

Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lawrence Kumar said the roading upgrade was long overdue.

“Getting attention is a big statement as it improves road safety. This is part of great efforts by the FRA to allow motorists to use this part of the road, as many motorists can gain access to the Votualevu and Savanawai areas,” he said.

“This part of the road has been ignored for a long time, but it will reduce traffic congestion and bring relief and safety to residents,” he added.

Neelfield Crime Prevention Committee (NCPC) president Mohammed Aiyaz acknowledged the work undertaken by the Government and the FRA.

“This is great, and we, the residents of Neelfield, request that our roading project be fast-tracked,” he said.