The Fiji Roads Authority has stressed today that it has already instructed it’s contractors not to have plant and equipment on the roads between 6am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm, and carry out roadworks at night wherever practical.
People travelling along Princes Road this morning were stuck in traffic for at least three hours because roadworks were being carried out during this peak traffic period.
Some who live along Tamavua left their homes at around 6 this morning and were still stuck in traffic at around 8am.
In one hour 45 minutes, some motorists only moved about 500 metres.
Students who also left Colo-i-Suva at around 6 this morning were still stuck in traffic at around 8am.
These students have exams today.
Three diggers and machines took up the lane at different locations and this added on to the traffic jam.
About one-third of the road near the Tacirua bus garage was closed due to the roadworks.
Questions are being raised on why the road works could not start after peak traffic times or whether work can be done at night.
Motorists are concerned that the traffic management by the road contractor is not satisfactory and Police traffic officers should be used as they know how to control the flow of traffic.
FRA CEO Jonathan Moore says they have instructed contractors to work at night wherever practical, but there are activities that cannot be carried out during the night because of the frequent rainfall.
He says in this particular case, the instruction was not followed.
Moore says they will review action to be taken on this.
Moore says they understand the regret, frustration and inconvenience the traffic congestion is causing especially at Princes Road.
He adds they are also working closely with the Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force to help manage traffic on a daily basis and deal with any incidents which cause holdups.
