Nuku‘alofa — A newly installed roadside barrier, developed with input from a Minister who is a civil engineer and an architect, intended to prevent further crashes and protect the Royal Palace fence, has been struck again, leaving the construction boss baffled.
A photo shared on Facebook by MP Tevita Puloka, who is also the owner of Puloka Construction, shows clear damage to the roadside concrete structures and fence line near the Nuku’alofa royal palace.
Some broken concrete blocks lie scattered along the curb, while part of the fence structure appears displaced, indicating the impact of a vehicle leaving the roadway.
According to information provided on the MP’s official Facebook page, the location has a history of accidents involving vehicles travelling from Kolomotu‘a along Vuna Road. These incidents have frequently resulted in damage to the Royal Palace entrance area, particularly the gate and surrounding structures.
The repeated crashes were the main reason traffic barriers and related safety features were installed at the site, the statement says.
“The work was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), Minister Sevenitini Toumo‘ua (a civil engineer), and architect Leveni ‘Aho,” Puloka says in Tongan.
“The project included the design of footpaths, landscaping, and traffic posts aimed at improving safety at the corner.”
As part of those improvements, a large pine tree on the seaside of the corner was removed to make turning easier for vehicles, while a toa tree near the Talakaepau side was preserved.
Despite these measures, the latest incident has again caused damage—this time affecting newly constructed features that were part of the safety upgrade.
Puloka said the damage to the newly built boundary block came as a surprise, adding he was unsure how the incident happened.
