Final checks being done on government’s asphalt plant
Director of the Public Works Department, Jeremy Hodge, has shared that the last round of diagnostic evaluations is currently underway for the government’s asphalt plant.
These essential checks are the final steps required before the plant is ready to commence operations, Hodge said.
Hodge indicated recently that a technician for the plant, along with members of his team, are currently in the territory ensuring the necessary checks are completed.
The plant was initially expected to be commissioned in June, however, Hodge disclosed that plans for the plant’s commissioning suffered a minor setback when his team was informed that more requirements needed to be met before testing could proceed.
He said this required a brief procurement process and an extension of time for it to be completed.
The PWD Director previously reassured the public that his department will be able to respond to issues on the roadways in a more efficient manner once the plant is functional and said plans are underway to address the territory’s roads in a holistic manner.
He further assured residents that all the territory’s roads will be addressed once the plant is commissioned.
“I know that there will be a lot of anxiety but we will get around to all those roads, including your community,” Hodge said. “We are also in communication with some technicians overseas to work along with our technicians to share expertise on road paving and other techniques.”
The Director thanked several entities for their support, including the BVI Electricity Corporation and the Department of Information Technology for their assistance in setting up the asphalt plant and for ensuring that it was configured to be connected to the internet, thereby ensuring that issues would be identified and rectified in the future.
In the meantime, Hodge issued an invitation to persons who are about to complete their heavy equipment licence and those with an interest in learning about asphalt or its applications to sign up with the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme where they will receive the necessary training when another team of technicians arrives in the territory.
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Let’s hope it gets up and running soon.
As an FYI, the road repairs are not a matter of asphalt patching, the roads here need a full review of the underlying foundations they sit on. Every rainfall the asphalt patches break up and the roads are a total mess.
Add to that the roads are not even remotely close to being built for the current heavy equipment that drive on them.
While I am sure the patching will happen more regularly for day-to-day road issues, the underlying issues for the roads breaking up have yet to be seriously mitigated, considered or even addressed!
Looks like the spaceship India just sent to the moon
LEME GUESS HORSE PATH GETTING FIRST LOAD
you miss the point, Salty Fish. If I get a contract to fix the road and do it properly, I will not get the contract a few months later to do the self same repair. Kerching!!!!
Roll up! Roll up! Roll up! Welcome to the BVI Road Repair Carousel. Everyone a winner. Except for tax payers. And motorists.
As mentioned in earlier comments, the roads need to be redesigned, demolished , rebuilt with concrete. Asphalt does not add anything to the BVI roads!
I know we need a comprehensive, proper fix with drainage et cetera, but the vehicles in this Territory are going to smile if you pour some cement in these potholes and then patch some of that asphalt on top until comprehensive works can be done.
School starts back soon. It is a pity you didn’t get a start before the traffic is back in earnest, but we are happy either way. We are holding our breaths. Don’t let us pass out.
Heavy equipment owners should be paying significant annual license fee amounts to reflect the wear and tear they cause to our road systems. $500 per month seems fair. DMV should also be carrying out due diligence checks to verify source of funds, and also checking that proper trade licenses are held, and that the operator is in good standing for NHI and social security – if these obligations are not current then the vehicle should not be licensed for us until they are.
Maybe if you owned some equipment and had an idea of what you talking about you won’t be spewing this BS out your mouth.
This is the best of Minister Kye. He hides behind public officers when there are major issues not being resolved and only comes forward when he knows he will look good. Poor leadership.