THE Suva Arterial Road Upgrade Project (SARUP) is set to improve the main arterial roads in the Suva area.
The Fiji Roads Authority are constructing and upgrading these roads as a full programmed capital project.
“For McArthur St in Suva, this is undergoing major road rehabilitation works. The road works will start at Victoria Pde and end at Gordon St to improve safety, by providing a smoother and less disruptive journey to road users,” FRA chief executive officer Robert Sen said.
“Works include repairing of damaged concrete pavement, damaged curbs, channel, footpaths and surfacing. These works will help prolong the life of the roads by preventing them from premature deterioration.
“The road will remain closed during the rehabilitation works. All works are expected to be completed by the end of October if weather permits.”
He said the contractor working on those road upgrades was the China Railway Fifth Group.
“All these roadworks is under the SARUP 1 contract and it is programmed to run until next year. However for the section from Nabua to Centrepoint, it will be completed by late October if weather permits,” he said.
“McArthur is expected to be completed by the end of October and is subject to weather conditions.
“This section of the road is part of a major capital works project which is anticipated to complete by next year, however just for this section of Ratu Mara Rd, the scheduled of completion date is towards the end of October if weather also permits.”
He said roadwork conducted at Rt Mara Rd in Nabua was a new pavement modification method that strengthened the existing pavement which is also known as Foam Bitumen Stabilisation (FBS) topped up with asphalt surface finish. Work is progressing and is currently on schedule for the McArthur Rd and completion will also be subject to weather condition experienced in Suva.
Mr Sen said for roadworks at Queen Elizabeth Drive it was opened to the public but would remain an active work site as works were still ongoing.
“We will continue to build the other roadside amenities such as bus bays and install streetlights. We will reduce the road to a single lane when required, so we can do the necessary works,” he said.
“Traffic controllers will then be directing traffic flow in the area and some delays should be expected over the coming weeks. Some of our road infrastructure is ageing as a result certain degree of roadworks during peak hours is inevitable.
“We have informed our contractors to allow traffic through during peak time.
“We have a major resealing project on selected sections of road along the Suva- Nausori corridor. We are trying to accommodate traffic and complete our work at the same time.
“It is important for the public to understand that peak periods have stretched beyond the usual hours due to a number of factors such as the increase in car ownership and so forth.
“Nevertheless FRA is working closely with the Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force to help manage traffic on a daily basis.”
He said the Suva Arterial Road Upgrade Project was funded by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
He added the new footpath at Edinburgh Dr would increase safety of pedestrians who walk down that stretch.
“This was after careful study and due diligence including the protection of the cable of streetlights, it was identified that school students (both tertiary and secondary) and the general public use the section particularly workers and church members,” he said.
“The time frame is until the end of November to complete this project.
Not only will it focus on footpath, it will include road pavement and drainage works too,” he said.
