THE total damage to roads in the country as a result of last month's floods has been put at $17million.
Fiji Roads Authority spokesman Iliesa Sokia said damage in the Western Division alone cost $16m and the remainder was incurred in the other divisions.
Mr Sokia said temporary bridges were being built in affected areas while long-term solutions were being looked at to counter flooding.
He said access to villages and communities was a priority because relief items needed to be distributed to flood-ravaged areas.
"We're looking at the designs of our roads and bridges. We want to ensure that what we put in will withstand some of the toughest floods to come," he said.
He also said material used in the construction of infrastructure had to be replaced as some had been in use for decades.
Mr Sokia said the three major projects for the authority were the Somi Bay, Yadua and Navo Bay roads which sustained extensive infrastructure damage.