Immediate traffic management solutions are being rolled out to address daily congestion along the Suva–Nausori corridor, while Government explores long-term infrastructure upgrades, says Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
Ro Filipe said a joint committee involving key enforcement and infrastructure agencies had been tasked with identifying practical interventions to reduce peak-hour gridlock experienced by thousands of commuters.
“There is currently a committee looking at short-term solutions for the traffic,” Ro Filipe said.
He said congestion was most severe during school terms, particularly between 6am and 8am, when traffic flow was heavily affected by school drop-offs, work commutes and public transport stopping along narrow sections of roadways.
“For example, the buses are stopping on the road. We need to quickly put bus stops at those points.
“Designated bus bays were being prioritised to prevent vehicles from blocking traffic lanes.”
Government is also studying staggered start times as another way to spread demand across the morning period.
“We’re also looking at having flexi-hours. Some workers, maybe in the civil service, need to start at different times, and we are liaising in terms of flexi-hours for schools,” he said.
For the longer term, authorities are assessing major infrastructure options, including a proposed ferry service between Nausori and Suva, although this will require new jetty facilities and supporting infrastructure before it can proceed.
Feasibility work is also underway on road upgrades, including widening key sections and improving feeder routes to create alternative access and reduce pressure on the main corridor.
“These are some practical short-term measures being looked into and being put into practice, while the long-term solutions are progressed.”
