Tamavua-i-Wai bridge speed barriers removed

The Tamavua-i-Wai bridge has a speed restriction of 30 kilometres per hour.

The Fiji Roads Authority has confirmed in the last hour that the traffic management setup has been reviewed by the team and they have now removed the speed barriers from both ends of the bridge.

However, motorists are reminded to travel on 30 kilometres across the bridge to avoid the need to revert to the barrier set up.

Concerns have been raised by motorists yesterday and today that many drivers are coming to a complete halt when they approach the speed breakers on the bridge.

Many also slow down and travel on the bridge at below 10 kilometres per hour.

This has caused huge traffic jams from the Lami end of the bridge in the mornings and at both ends in the afternoons.

Many motorists have told us that it is taking them more time in the bumper to bumper traffic during the peak traffic times as no one is at the bridge ensuring that people continue driving at 30 kilometres per hour on the bridge.

It is clear that the problem was caused by a number of drivers stopping the vehicles before the bridge and then going over it at below 10 kilometres per hour.

When questioned by Fijivillage earlier today, the Authority said it will review the traffic management set up and look at ways of improving traffic flow.

The bridge was reopened to two lanes of traffic on Sunday.

The 18 tonne weight restriction and 30km speed restriction will need to remain in place for both lanes until completion of the remaining strengthening works under the bridge.

Some motorists we spoke to say that it took them over 50 minutes from Novotel Lami to the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge this morning while it was taking them less than 30 minutes when the single lane was open.