Cane Garden to Bridgefield and Shop Hill to Content are the roads earmarked to undergo reconstruction in St. Thomas.

Ahead of construction on these roads, Hangman Hill will be extensively patched, as it has been identified as a temporary diversion route, and Reece Road, which is undergoing construction, is expected to be completed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, made the disclosure on Wednesday, following a technical tour with Ministry officials and engineers in the central parish. She explained that the Ministry was taking a “design and build” approach to the reconstruction of both roads.

“The truth is, St Thomas has been neglected for some time, and we’re really playing catch up as far as St. Thomas is concerned, in terms of the expenditure on road rehabilitation in that particular parish. The two roads that we are in the process of having designs done for are Shop Hill to Content and Cane Garden to Bridgefield. In both instances, we have engaged the contractors to be able to do design and build, which essentially means that they’re responsible for not only the design of the roads, but also the construction of the roads,” she said, noting that this is a cost effective measure.

Minister Bradshaw further explained that in order to start the roadworks, the Ministry needed to identify diversion routes, and will begin to improve their condition.

“In assessing the disruption that is likely to be caused to the people of St. Thomas and those traversing the area, we recognise that we would have to ensure that at least two other roads were done or rehabilitated, in order to be able to facilitate traffic access to and from the community. Reece Road is being done presently under the Scotland District Project and that is likely to finish in another two months. That provides a connection between Shop Hill, and Cane Garden to Bridgefield. We’ve also been looking at Hangman Hill, because that road is in a very deplorable state. In discussion with the technical team, we’ve been able to find some solutions in terms of being able to get the water off the road, and to temporarily rehabilitate the road, by way of patching. So, Hangman Hill is likely to start by mid-November. The intention is to allow for a diversion of traffic through the Hangman Hill area, while the [road] works are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) recently completed mains replacement from Cane Garden to Bridgefield, and are currently working on lot service connections in the area. Once all utility upgrades are completed and the alternate routes are prepared, MTW anticipates construction on Bridgefield Road will be ready to start.      

During the tour, the Transport Minister also visited Prior Park Road in St. James and was pleased with the progress. Acknowledging that the roadworks took a while to begin, she pointed out that the BWA needed to finish mains replacement first.

“We regret the inconvenience, but the truth is, now that the mains replacement has been completed, the contractors have now been able to start to work on the kerb and slipper as well as make preparation for the sidewalks….  We anticipate it will take about six months before this area is completed. Obviously, as we go into the Christmas period, the plan is to slow down a bit so that there is not the level of disruption that people will usually complain about,” she said.

Project Management Consultant of Stonebridge Construction Inc., Craig Archer, explained that C.O. Williams Construction Ltd began excavation on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, near the Prior Park Roundabout. The roadworks will include road realignment and the construction of footpaths in asphalt or concrete, storm water wells, catch pits, and other drainage infrastructure. Five utility poles will also be relocated.

“There will be reconstruction of the roundabout, and then the work on the road carriageway itself will be undertaken in sections to minimise this disruption to the residents. Work is going smoothly and is expected to be completed by February,” Mr. Archer said.

Prior Park Road, Cane Garden to Bridgefield and Shop Hill to Content are being done under MTW’s CAF Programme, which is funded by the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean.