Queens highway collapse at Semo disrupts travel, business in West

Members of the public are calling on the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to quickly repair the portion of the Queens Highway at Semo, Nadroga that collapsed on February 11, disrupting travel between Nadi, Sigatoka, and most parts of Viti Levu.

The FRA and its contractors are acknowledged for opening a by-pass on the weekend while prior-itising safety for road users.

Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lawrence Ku-mar said the road slip near Semo Village affected travel, business and essential services.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. There will be due diligence in terms of designs and other requirements, Mr Kumar said.

Once full completed, it will be back to business as normal.

Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Suresh Naidu said it was the third time a culvert at the location had sunk after heavy rain.

This history supports the chambers call for full-time engineering oversight and more resilient material standards, he said.

He said excessive road humps in the area were also slowing the movement of goods and services, compounding delays caused by the slip.

Mr Naidu said the disruption was affecting businesses along the Nadi- Sigatoka corridor, which he described as the tourism heartland and a key agricultural belt.

FRA chief executive officer Apisai Ketenilagi said two large culverts beneath the crossing had corroded and were weakened by strong water flow, leading to the collapse.

Works continues at the site.

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