THE Fiji Roads Authority says one of the challenges it will face this year is fulfilling its ability to maintain the current road infrastructure.
This is because $121million of their $615m 2016 budget will be used to pay for work that was completed in 2015 for which funds were not available then.
“Potentially, the most serious implication of this is FRA’s ability to fully fund the routine and periodic maintenance of the existing network to a sufficient level to keep it in the current condition. Rather than improving the network, the FRA may have to consider managing the deterioration of the network,” the FRA said in its 2016 annual corporate plan.
FRA said this meant a lower level of service would be expected with the increasing number of potholes and more extensive sections quickly deteriorating roads.
“Reduced funding for the bridges program compared with 2015 will also increase the level of public safety risk. More than 100 bridges in Fiji are in critical condition and FRA needs to plan and prepare a pipeline of bridge replacement projects.”