Works being carried out in November 2012

Photo Credit: Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News

Works being carried out in November 2012

Photo Credit: Clifton Skelton/BVI Platinum News

Works on the Georgie Hill road, just above the Greenland cemetery, has stalled due to land issues. Gary Penn, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works made this disclosure yesterday, February 6.

Penn indicated that the project is currently stalled due to issues surrounding lands required to make the modification to fix the badly damaged road. However, assurances have been made that Ministry officials will be working hard to ensure the matters are resolved as quickly as possible.

"We want to apologise for the lag in the project; however, when completed it will be well worth the wait. We are appealing for motorists and pedestrians to continue to have patience with us as we continue to develop our road networks," the Acting Permanent Secretary stated.

According to the Ministry, it is in the process of addressing challenges with the project so that motorists and pedestrians can begin to benefit from the development.

"Once completed, motorists and pedestrians will derive many benefits such as sidewalks on both sides of the road, the widening of the road which will allow two lanes of traffic to flow comfortably, adequate drainage and a well lit road," Penn stated.

The Ministry stated that the works that began in late November 2012 are designed to widen portions of the roadway, re-profile the road in order to decrease its steepness and improve drainage issues in the area.

The project has faced numerous delays. In May 2012, Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark Vanterpool had promised that works on that stretch of road would be completed by July of that year. However, the works only got started in November.

In November 2012, Hon. Marlon Penn, Eighth District Representative said the works were expected to be completed before the end of the year, once the weather permitted. At the time, he related that the project was delayed because the engineering works were being fine-tuned.

"The road is in close proximity to a major waterway and we needed to make sure that we make adequate accommodations for the drainage concerns in the area and ensure that the properties close to the road were protected," Hon. Penn had stated.

He had also stated that that the project is estimated to cost around $300,000 and the works are being executed by contractors from both the Seventh and Eighth Districts.