Traffic in town will be temporarily diverted for vehicles entering and leaving the Government Building in order to cater for work associated with the Apia Waterfront Development Project.

The temporary changes, which will be in effect for a month and start on Monday, were announced in a public notice issued by the project’s management team.

According to the notice, the temporary flow of traffic will have an impact on traffic heading to the Fiame Mataafa Faumuina Mulinuu (FMFMII) Building.

“These temporary changes are due to the closure of the vehicle access kerb located to the West of the FMFMII Building starting Monday 6, April 2020 for a month,” reads the notice.

It also added that all vehicles dropping off or picking up passengers from the FMFMII Building are to use the ramp to the main foyer.

“Vehicles must enter from the Western ramp and exit out on the East ramp. The access on the eastern side of the building is restricted to ministers and building tenants official vehicles only. The road behind the FMFMII Building will remain closed until further notice.”

The project management team has apologised for the inconvenience caused to traffic while highlighting that it will only be for a month.

“This will only be temporary for a month in order to accommodate ongoing construction for the development of our waterfront. We also advise all motorists and pedestrians to please adhere to traffic control and safety signage installed in the area.”

Another project, which is within the vicinity of the Apia Waterfront Development Project, is the Government’s Samoa-China Friendship Park, which is being funded under an “in-kind assistance” donation from China.

The Friendship Park is also part of the Apia Waterfront Development Project, which covers the area behind the FMFMII Government Building at Eleele Fou, and is designed for cultural communication, entertainments, sports and recreational activities, performance and gathering. 

A team from China who are currently in the country is undertaking the design work and represent the Bureau of Housing, Urban and Rural Planning and Construction of Huizhou Municipality.

The project is captured under Samoa’s tourism sector program and involves the Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.