The road in Welch Village, St. John, has been earmarked for reconstruction as part of the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project.
Preparatory work is underway, as topographic surveys have already been conducted and preliminary designs prepared by the China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT), the contractor responsible for executing the project.
Topographic surveys are essential in road construction because they yield critical information on the natural landscape and man-made features. This information is used to guide engineers and the design. COMPLANT recently submitted the preliminary designs to the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW), and those designs are now being reviewed and evaluated to ensure that the proposed design is safe, feasible, and meets other critical factors. Once the preliminary design is approved, the team will begin the detailed designs.
The reconstruction of the road in Welch Village is part of wider plans to upgrade roads in the parish of St. John under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project. Currently, construction is ongoing in Glenburnie and St. Margaret’s. In addition, Highway F, from Bath, St. John to Andromeda Gardens, St. Joseph, is being reconstructed, with a significant portion already paved. The road was also widened and drainage improved. Pothouse Road and Welch Village up to the junction with Highway F will be rehabilitated. Welch Village, St. John, has been on the priority list under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project. Residents and the Member of Parliament for St. John highlighted the state of the road during the Parish Speaks town hall meetings.
Since then, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, and a technical team from MTW, along with representatives from COMPLANT, visited Welch Village to view the condition of the road firsthand. Following that, the technical team consulted residents to acquire local knowledge and suggestions, which helped to inform the designs and upgrades.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, chatting with a resident of Welch Village, St. John, during her visit to the area. (Photo by W. Murray/MTW)
