As people of Labasa wait for hours in traffic during peak hours, the Fiji Roads Authority says they will have to wait much longer, as the estimated timeline for projects to ease traffic is more than five years.
Residents say it takes about three hours during peak traffic to travel from All Saints Secondary School to Labasa Town which is normally a 5-minute drive.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News on earlier plans for a by-pass road, FRA says the plans are still moving forward.
They say the Nakorotari to Siberia Road Connection project is currently in the detailed design phase.
FRA says it is part of the medium-term plan, with an estimated timeline for completion of more than 5 years, depending on budget and funding availability.
They also say the Tramline Bypass Proposal proposal is still in the concept discussion and preliminary design phase.
The Authority says it falls within the short to medium-term timeline of 1 to 5 years.
They say the final decision regarding this project will depend on the outcomes of detailed investigations and designs that need to be completed.
FRA says both projects are progressing, but the timelines and outcomes will hinge on various factors including funding and further investigations.
They say they are aware of the pressing need to upgrade infrastructure to manage the increasing traffic demands in urban areas, including Labasa.
FRA says to address these challenges, they are actively collaborating with various stakeholders to identify effective solutions and strategize the way forward.
