The Ministry of Works is gearing up to commence a massive road repair program that will be carried out simultaneously across multiple communities throughout the country.
In preparation for this project, a six-person delegation from the Ministry of Works, led by its Director, Aldin Crump, and Permanent Secretary Sean Cenac, presented their plans for fixing the roads to the Cabinet on Wednesday.
The delegation provided a strategic plan that focuses on repairing the roads and drains in nine separate neighborhoods, where age and heavy rains have caused numerous potholes, undermining the longevity of the roads.
The Cabinet was informed that the current building practices in the country have contributed to the issues with the roadways.
For instance, many households have failed to include soak-ways on their property to take run-off from cesspools, leading to an overflow of cesspool waste into the streets and gutters, which further undermines the surface of the roads.
To speed up the road program, the ministry will engage teams of crews working up to nineteen hours Mondays to Fridays.
A night crew will also join the efforts, working from 6 pm to 2 am daily, except on weekends.
The Ministry of Works is expected to employ approximately 40 new workers, purchase new trucks, backhoes, earth movers, and become a large producer of concrete for the new Concrete Road roll-out slabs that are designed to last more than 20 years.
The contractors will lay 100 feet by 18 feet daily until all community roads are complete. Moreover, pre-formed drains and sidewalks will be added at the side of the roads to lengthen their sides.
The Cabinet was pleased to learn about the ministry’s plan and the efforts it will make to ensure that the road repair program is completed successfully.
Another failed experiment. Get the Chinese to build the roads. These roads won’t last a year.
Some of the new roads have been holding up rather well. So, congrats to the Ministry on their efforts. HOWEVER, the Ministry needs to consider pedestrians as well. The sidewalks are in a dangerous state of disrepair in many places with large holes that people can fall into. In some places there are overgrowths of bushes and hedges that force pedestrians to step into traffic regularly. And, several major roads need a sidewalk. People who walk are citizens too. Some people walk occasionally. Others walk all the time. It is important to provide a good environment for the poor so they can progress in life and also reduce anger and crime. Walking is also environmentally friendly and health-promoting for all both rich and poor. Also, as fossil fuels become less available, soon more people may have to rely on walking and public transportation to get around. Might as well start now to make it as comfortable as possible as they do in places such as Europe. More shopping areas within walking distance of communities should also be built in preparation.