UPDATE ON ROAD RESTORATION PROGRAMME POST GUSTAV

Minister Mike Henry (centre), is surrounded by from left to right: Principal Finance Officer, Altius Williams, HMOS Joseph Hibbert, CEO, NWA, Milton Hodelin and Communications Manager, Reginald Allen

Extensive plans are underway to fix the nation’s roads subsequent to the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, September 24 at the Ministry’s Corporate Office, Minister Mike Henry outlined a raft of plans to deal with damage done to roads, gullies, drains and bridges as a result of rains associated with Tropical Storm Gustav. He said that $8-12B will be required for a proper recovery from the effects of Gustav. He highlighted the fact that critical drains would be targeted for repairs as of this week (September 22-27). In this respect, drains near the Black River Hospital and the Buff Bay Valley are being targeted. Associated with those repairs will also be a bill of $600M for some most critical wall repairs.

Turning to other road repair matters, the Minister said that work on the Bog Walk Gorge should be completed by some time by the end of September/beginning of October. He also noted that the temporary Ford in Harbour View should have been re-opened by the 24 th of September while work would have begun on the more permanent one being constructed by E. Pihl and the National Works Agency.

With respect to the wide scale road repairs which are required consequent on the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav, Minister Henry said that those would not officially start until the hurricane season is near being over. He however said that road patching would take place, especially on critical thoroughfares. Of the 350 roads which received damage following Tropical Storm Gustav, only 13 remain cut off. These include corridors such as Newcastle and Temple Hall in rural St. Andrew. The road repairs will be facilitated under the Emergency Procurement Fund. For the funding of the wider and more major road repairs, Minister Henry highlighted the fact that a meeting took place with the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister; the funding requests from the Ministry has been accommodated.

As far as the issue of bridges was concerned, the Works Minister pointed to a survey and audit of bridges which was underway. He said that Bailey Bridges have been re-ordered and re-stocked. He said that storage was now being looked at. He further informed that ultimately, the re-constructed Hope Bridge would boast four lanes. Weigh Scales which have been ordered will assist in having motorists using the bridges adhere to the prescribed weight limit. One of the scales is expected to be placed at the Hope Bridge at Harbour View. The important matter of river training also came in for mention with the Minister informing that funds are in place to target this area. The Hope River is expected to be targeted under this programme.