Major road upgrades in Suva to improve safety, ease congestion

Major road upgrades in Suva aimed at improving road safety, easing congestion and reducing flooding have been launched, with the Government cutting more than $8.3 million from the cost of the Ratu Sukuna Road project while retaining key safety features.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau launched the Ratu Sukuna Road Upgrade and the Extension Street Road Link to Brown Street yesterday.

He said the cost of the Ratu Sukuna Road project had been reduced from about $36.5 million to $28.2 million after the Government and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) reviewed the original design.

The revised project prioritises road safety, pavement rehabilitation, drainage improvements and pedestrian protection over non-essential features.

Ro Filipe said the upgraded 2.7-kilometre corridor would include new drainage systems, reconstructed kerbs and channels, continuous dual pedestrian footpaths, safer crossings, improved traffic management, road markings and signage.

The road serves thousands of commuters daily, including students attending Pacific Community University, Corpus Christi Teachers' College, Pacific Theological College, Suva Grammar School, Marist Brothers High School, Sacred Heart College, Draiba Primary School and Veiuto Primary School.

According to an independent International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) assessment, the project is expected to achieve a minimum three-star safety rating, with some sections performing even better.

The assessment predicts a 14 per cent reduction in fatal and serious injuries, a 32 per cent reduction in pedestrian fatalities and a 30 per cent reduction in serious pedestrian injuries.

The project is also expected to improve drainage, reduce flooding and enhance traffic flow for motorists, pedestrians and public transport users while serving more than 15,000 residents, students, government offices and diplomatic missions.

Ro Filipe also launched the Extension Street Road Link to Brown Street, a road connection of less than one kilometre designed to ease congestion on Waimanu Road and improve access to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for patients, staff and emergency services.

Both projects form part of the Government's broader strategy to modernise Fiji's transport infrastructure and improve connectivity.

Ro Filipe also announced a pipeline of major infrastructure developments, including critical bridge replacements, jetty upgrades, rural road improvements, congestion relief projects and the $300 million Vanua Levu Road Upgrading Project, with construction expected to begin before the end of 2026.

China Railway No. 5 Group General Manager Jin Ming said the company was committed to completing both projects safely, on schedule and with minimal disruption to road users.

He said the Ratu Sukuna Road project would take 360 days to complete because of complex underground utility relocation works, while the Extension Street project was expected to be completed within four months.

The projects are expected to improve road safety, traffic efficiency and drainage while strengthening connectivity and supporting Fiji's long-term economic development.