The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, has confirmed steady progress in the planning stages of the Labasa Bypass Road, a major infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion in Labasa Town.

The proposed route will follow the tram line corridor from James Martin Street to the Pacific Service Station, with the design set to support two-way traffic, including access for heavy trucks.

“So, what we have actually finalized is that the various stakeholders that have their concerns or have anything that they can discuss, they have to actually submit their papers to FRA because FRA is the ultimate authority that will be overseeing this project” Singh emphasizes.

With design and planning already underway, Singh said authorities are optimistic that visible progress could begin by mid-year, with hopes of construction starting before the end of 2025.

“So, this new by-pass road, which as I said, starts from James Ward Street all the way to the Grand Eastern Hotel entrance, is all about two-way traffic, which means that there will be one way of traffic coming out of town and one way of traffic going into town. And the width of the roads will be sufficient to even have heavy trucks that can use it” he continues.

(By: Joeli Ragoneliwa | Journalist)