The Fiji Times

Four-lane road for busy Suva-Lami stretch

- By REPEKA NASIKO

TRAFFIC along the Suva-Lami corridor is expected to ease with the constructi­on of a four-lane road along the busy stretch.

Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorolog­ical Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau said with the four-lane road, a second bridge would be constructe­d by the Japan Internatio­nal Cooperatio­n Agency (JICA).

“Currently, the Tamavua-iWai bridge is two-way, and we are grateful that JICA has agreed to fund another two-lane bridge there, which essentiall­y makes it four lanes from Suva to the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge,” Ro Filipe said.

He said the four lanes would be extended to Lami where traffic congestion was a daily occurrence.

“Therefore, ideally, the four lanes should be extended to Lami and onwards.”

Ro Filipe said the future plan for the project was to extend the four-lane stretch towards the Western Division.

“My vision is for Suva to Nadi to be four lanes, that is, two lanes each way.

“As in developed states, which would be ideal as far as safety and convenienc­e are concerned, with the amount of traffic on that main route. “It could be done in stages given its high cost, so we will be working on the project proposal with our developmen­t partners to determine the scope, stages, costs, and funding.”

Ro Filipe said to finance this, his ministry would be looking to access climate change funds.

“On funding, we will be working seriously on accessing climate change funds for climate resilient infrastruc­ture, including Suva to Nadi four lanes and for various other projects throughout Fiji including rural roads, bridges, wharves, and jetties.”

 ?? Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU ?? Work continues on the upgrade of the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge in Suva.
Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Work continues on the upgrade of the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge in Suva.
 ?? Picture: FILE ?? Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
Picture: FILE Ro Filipe Tuisawau.

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