Residents living along Ratu Sukuna Road have raised concerns over speeding, traffic safety, parking, drainage and bicycle lanes during a public consultation on the proposed road upgrade project.
The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) presented plans for the road upgrade, which will be carried out in three phases: from the Queen Elizabeth Drive junction to Domain Road in phase one, Domain Road to Muanikau Road in phase two, and from Muanikau Road to Laucala Bay Road in phase three.
Ratu Sukuna Road resident, Jacqueline Hughes raised concerns that upgrading Ratu Sukuna Road could encourage more motorists to use it as a shortcut, increasing speeding and traffic through the residential area.
She also highlighted ongoing speeding issues on Queen Elizabeth Drive and nearby roads, calling for traffic-calming measures and speed-monitoring cameras to be incorporated into the project.
In response, an FRA representative clarified that the road is intended to remain primarily a residential road with two lanes.
He says traffic studies would be undertaken before, during and after construction, and traffic-calming measures such as pedestrian crossings and other safety devices could be incorporated based on the findings.
He also says they are aware of plans by the Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force to install CCTV and speed-monitoring cameras in the area.
Concerns were also raised about pedestrian safety near schools, particularly around bus bays used by parents dropping off and picking up students.
Hughes suggested extending bus bays to better accommodate school traffic and reduce risks to children crossing the road.
Drainage was another major issue discussed, with Hughes pointing to several low-lying sections of the road that frequently flood during heavy rain, causing pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, to walk on the roadway to avoid large puddles.
She also highlighted recurring drainage problems near bus stops and access roads where water runoff damages road surfaces and contributes to pothole formation.
The FRA representative acknowledged that drainage is currently inadequate in some areas and says the project would include new drains, culverts, catchment pits and improved stormwater management systems.
He says runoff from side roads and leaking water infrastructure contributes to road damage and would be investigated further during construction.
He also confirmed that water mains and utility infrastructure would be reviewed as part of the project because leakages have been identified as a major cause of road deterioration.
Parking provisions along the road also generated significant discussion.
Residents argued that parking demand in front of shops outweighs the need for bicycle lanes in some sections, noting that a lack of parking already causes congestion and inconvenience for customers.
Several residents questioned the practicality of the proposed cycle lanes, suggesting that many motorists would likely park in them due to limited parking availability, while others supported retaining them as part of efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles and alternative transport options.
The FRA representative acknowledged the concerns and indicated that the design could still be reviewed.
He says there may be options to relocate, reduce or remove sections of the cycle lane if the community considered parking a higher priority.
He encouraged residents to provide further feedback before final decisions are made.
Residents also expressed concerns about construction camps, material storage and waste management.
Representatives from the contractor confirmed that construction sites would mainly be used for material storage and assured residents that measures would be put in place to manage waste and minimise impacts on nearby communities and waterways.
They stressed that the consultation process is ongoing and that residents' concerns would be documented and incorporated into future design reviews where feasible.
