FRA confirms a bridge cannot be constructed in Raiwaqa on Kavanagasau Road and a crossing is more suitable

Fiji Roads Authority CEO, Kamal Prasad confirms they will not be able to construct a bridge at the Raiwaqa Crossing on Kavanagasau Road in Sigatoka as the river depth is less than 3.5 metres and a bridge is not suitable for this floodplain area.

Prasad says they will instead raise the road and construct a proper crossing which will be much more stronger to sustain an impact of flooding and debris.

He says if they construct a bridge in this area as requested by the residents, it will not be able to sustain the impact of severe flooding.

FRA’s CEO adds Raiwaqa Crossing upgrade is part of the Kavanagasau Road rehabilitation for the next 5 years and survey is scheduled to commence this financial year.

Meanwhile, a 59-year-old farmer of Nabitu in Sigatoka, Abhay Chand Sharma says there are around 100 farmers in their area and a few hundred more in nearby farming communities and their main concern is regarding the Raiwaqa Crossing which always gets flooded.

He says they face huge challenges in transporting their vegetables.

Sharma says they use the same crossing to access the nearest health centre and are requesting authorities to look at the possibility of constructing a bridge on higher ground.

Some farmers of Nabitu had to cross the flooded crossing last week to transport their harvest to Suva Market.