HIGH TIDES AFFECTING GREIG STREET CARPARKS

Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) wishes to remind the public that during peak high tides the car parking area on Greig Street, Suva, is prone to short term surface flooding.

FRA General Manager Network Operations and Maintenance Aram Goes says some members of the public have raised questions as to why the road was not built higher.

“FRA did not build the road higher because this would entrap the storm water runoff behind the road, resulting in increased flooding and damages to properties.”

He said the current road level provides an area for flood waters to disperse allowing the increased opportunity to spread, then quickly subside when the tide goes out, minimising the flooding impact to properties.

“Like any low-lying coastal area, in the event of a combination of high seas and heavy rains, people must expect and plan in-readiness for brief periods of flooding.”

Mr Goes said whilst they have improved the road condition, however, they will not be able to treat the ingress of the sea as part of our road upgrading, as this is an inherent situation beyond FRA control.

He has reminded the public to choose wisely when entering this area during periods of heavy rain when high tide conditions exist.

“The improvement work that FRA completed on Greig Street included extra drainage outlets, stabilising the road pavement; applying a high quality asphalt surface of the road and increased car parking spaces along with solar powered lights along a safe fenced sea-wall.”

Mr Goes says there are plans for the other nearby busy city streets like Raojibhai Patel Street through Vishnu Deo Street and onto Ellery Street to be upgraded this year.

Fiji Roads Authority