FRA road renewal work on Greig St completed

The Fiji Roads Authority's renewal work that was recently carried out on Suva's Greig Street is now completed and awaits the opening of the new Fiji National Provident Fund building located next to it. 

FRA, who had estimated the cost of the work to be close to $430,000 had contracted Fulton Hogan Hiways to carry out the road rehabilitation work on Greig Street.

Fulton Hogan says the poor condition of the road’s surface meant that it had to be ripped out before they stabilised a length of 175 metres and width of 13.7.

He says Fulton Hogan also marked traffic lanes and carpark slots and constructed proper drainage.

Solar street lights along the creek seawall and a pedestrian crossing on Renwick Road will also be installed over the next month.

FRA says that whilst the project is successful, they are concerned about the overflow from Nabukalou Creek onto Greig Street. It says this is a matter that will require detailed investigation and investment to address the issue. 

FRA Chief Executive Officer, John Hutchinson says the authority's current works on Greig Street is to improve the road surface. The project does not address the historic flooding issues in the low lying area adjacent to the tidal creek.  

Hutchinson says the seawalls within the municipal boundaries are the responsibility of the Suva City Council.

He says there have been suggestions that the FRA should raise the road level.

Hutchinson says this may appear too many as a simple solution to prevent tidal seawater coming in however he says that without a detailed hydrological survey study, raising the road level has a very high risk of causing increased flood damage to the properties on Greig Street.

He says this will result in the confinement of inland water being unable to flow to the sea during heavy rain events.

Hutchinson said raising the road level will flood both the road and the shops on the ground floor. 

The FRA proposes to now raise the seawall to a more consistent height along the concrete walking strip of the car parking area.

Hutchinson says this will include small gate‑flap outlets, at existing storm water outlet levels.