The Fiji Roads Authority says they have successfully carried out significant road improvements across the Northern Division to boost accessibility, safety, and connectivity for communities, schools, and rural areas.
They say as part of this effort, 1,950 metres of Labasa Hospital Road has been resealed, while 900 metres of the Labasa Town Main Street now have a fresh asphalt overlay.
FRA says in Savusavu, extensive work was completed on several rural roads which include drainage work, reshaping of road crossfalls, and gravelling on 600 metres of Wainiveitala Settlement Road, 2,500 metres of Savudrodro Farm Road, and 300 metres of Nakabuta Settlement Road.
The Authority says to improve road safety and traffic flow, excavation and clearing works were also carried out on 15,000 metres of Wainikoro Road, 14,500 metres of Nabouwalu Road, 16,950 metres of Lakeba/Visoqo Road, and 7,400 metres of Natewa West Coast Road.
They say this included the removal of high shoulders and water channels.
FRA says unsealed rehabilitation works were carried out on 1,500 metres of Nayarabale Road, 420 metres of Baleyaganiga Village Access Road, and 1,000 metres of Natabe Road.
They have also upgraded several roads from unsealed to sealed surfaces.
The Authority says these improvements are helping prevent further deterioration, reduce dust and erosion, and offer a safer and smoother journey for drivers.
FRA says in addition, several school frontages have recently been upgraded to ensure safer access for students where at Nasavusavu Public School, more than 120 metres of road have been upgraded, directly benefiting 380 students.
Head Teacher Jimi Delaivoni says the road was previously narrow and often difficult to access during the rainy season.
He says they are grateful that FRA reached out to rural schools and welcomed the improvement, as students can now walk safely to school even in wet conditions.
In Seaqaqa, 310 metres of road at Korotolutolu Primary School have been sealed.
Local resident Laisa Lalawai says the work has brought huge relief to the school community, as dust used to settle on the corridors and affect students.
FRA says major road upgrades have also been completed across Savusavu and Macuata, including works on Buca Bay Road, Buca Primary School Road, Yaroi Village Road, Drekeniwai Village Road, Natewa Village Road, Navidamu Road, and Valebasoga Road.
The Authority says many of these upgrades involve sealing the road surfaces and applying chip seal, with works still ongoing in some locations.
They say to further strengthen road safety and accessibility, especially in flood-prone areas, they have constructed several new culvert crossings.
FRA says these crossings allow water to pass under the roads, preventing flooding and erosion, and maintaining critical connections to villages, markets, health centres, and schools.
In recent months, culvert crossings have been built at Wairiki (Navakuru Road, Suweni), Bagasau Village and Kacidavui (Bagasau Road, Savusavu), Dakuniba Village, Natuvu in Viani Bay, and Nabilodra on Namuavoivoi Road in Bua.
The Authority says these reinforced concrete structures range from 15 to 37 metres in length, with supporting approach slabs to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety.
Meanwhile, a number of rural road upgrades are underway under the FRA’s Rural Roads Programme.
Works include clearing and gravelling on Nasau Naviqiri Road in Bua, drainage and gravelling on Savusavuitaga Nasealevu Road in Macuata, and culvert upgrading works on Nasasa Nadogo Valovoni Road.
In Cakaudrove, new roads are being constructed in Lea Vunilagi (Navatu) and Wailevu Salia (Tunuloa) in partnership with the Public Works Department, with FRA carrying out gravelling works.
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