Hodge’s Creek Road to be completed in two months
The long-delayed Hodge’s Creek Road project is expected to be completed within two months, Director of Infrastructure in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Duane Fraites, has assured.
Fraites said the government would close a section of the road to allow crews to install box drains and finish the remaining road works in the area.
“We anticipate within the next two months, after they finish up by Hodge’s Creek, the intent would be now to come back down to Paraquita Bay in the area by the bars and so forth. So that will be within two months. We anticipate that the entire segment of main road should be completed,” Fraites stated.
Fraites explained that additional drainage work became necessary after issues were uncovered during the project.
“We will be sending out a road closure, which will commence from the 31st of May, to facilitate the works in the area by Hodge’s Creek. One of the first things that we have to do is put in some box drain crossings. We do have some challenges with drainage in that particular area, so some box drains will be installed in that area,” Hodge explained.
He also confirmed that while the project faced variations and delays due to unforeseen conditions, the team is now targeting full completion of the road within two months.
The Paraquita Bay-Hodge’s Creek road project has been ongoing for nearly a year. According to Works Minister Kye Rymer, delays stemmed from the need to revise designs and drainage requirements to ensure the road would meet proper standards.
“It’s no fault of the contractor. I must applaud the contractor for his patience because, you know, he has been doing a tremendous job working with the Public Works Department, working with the ministry,” Rymer stated.
The road forms part of the wider $38 million road rehabilitation programme funded through the government’s $100 million loan secured last year. The Ministry of Communications and Works has earmarked $13 million from this loan in the 2025 budget for road projects now moving into the tender stage.
Residents and motorists traversing the Hodge’s Creek and Paraquita Bay areas have expressed frustration at the delays, particularly as the hurricane season begins. But Rymer urged patience, saying the upgrades would ensure the road’s longevity.
“We are working to get the roads right. Hence, we are taking such a delay,” he stated.
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The crux of the problem dates back to the random cutting of roads on the steep hillside above Hodges Creek without any thought given to runoff.
The same scenario is repeated throughout the islands. When will they ever learn?
They will learn when minds like yours resist the impulse to critise and instead provide solutions, even if not asked.
VI has been good to your kind. Is it not time to give back something?
How about scholarshipe for city planning and modern highway construction to the best science and technology student?
In response to giving something back:
In 1980, I designed the island’s postage stamps and my book “Virgin Island Sketches” recorded the history and culture of the BVI.
In 1981, The government granted me an award for sharing my skills with the island’s youth and for my work with prisoners.
In 1982, I co-founded the Virgin Island Historical Society.
In 1983, I auctioned my paintings to help und children needing urgent medical treatment overseas.
In 1984, I chaired a conference on forward planning for the BVI and prepared material for exhibitions promoting the islands.
In 1985, I submitted plans for a Road Town craft market and contributed towards a masterplan for the town’s built heritage.
In 1986, I made an extensive survey of the island’s historical sites and skilled artisans.
In 1987, I donated a studio printing press to the BVI High School.
In 1988, I assisted Sheila Hyndman in publishing a collection of her poems.
From 1989 onwards, by order of the government, I was prevented from making further contributions to the islands that I had lovingly called home. The story of my banishment is told in my book “For the Sake of the Children”.
What do you mean, they ordered you to stop giving back? Was this only you or other generous members of society?
So, if I understand correctly – what you are actually saying is that none of you planned for water runoff from the mountain and the mountain roads, and now you have to dig up certain areas of the new road to install box drains. Something that was plainly obvious to the average idiot when you initially drove on the road. Every day I passed, I asked myself why the road was so badly designed, while so obviously having no access for water to drain away.
I suppose one would ask whether this was stupidity, or BVI strategy to make a few more dollars and further frustrate and already frustrated people?
Prevents #iss poor performance!
Nothing under this Ministry is working, after all this time they didn’t know to address drainage, 1. it’s next to the water on the low side and 2. drainage has been an issue for 80% of the roads in the Virgin Islands. This Minister is incompetent.
Where is the other $87 Million going? It can’t all just go into your pockets.
When do we see the airport KPMG reports?
When do we get financial reports?
When do we start designing and planning before wasting money on contractor friends?
So by 1 August this road will be completely finished?? Somehow there will be another delay and this road will not be completed for another month or two or 3 when H season ends!
On any construction of a new road the sidewalk and drainage goes in first. These PWD engineers are a waste of college degrees.
This is pure lessness. This road segment has been dug up, milked for months. Now, it is going to take 2 months to lay concrete. WTF! This part of the project should take two weeks tops, for the road has a) milled, b) based stabilized with lime stone, utilities set, proof rolled, etc. All that is left is laying down and finishing the concrete. Viola, oops , there it is.
a year to do a road is incompetence
The Road Works was in the 2024 budget and allocation for the project was completed when the original contract was signed so how is this also apart of the loan earmark money? Is the change order amount included- we need more transparency because money was already allocated and now this is also apart of the loan? Some how this project is being funded from multiple areas.
This contract was signed in 2023, so it would be under the 2023 budget.
THAT WAS HIRED TO FO THE WALL BY WALWYN AND WAS PAID ON THE DIDE TO MESS IT UP YO MAKE WALWYN LOOK BAD ❓️ IF SO THRN THE SAME PEOPLE ARE GETTING A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A TREND / STARTING AND CANNOT FINISH OR DOING THINGS THE WRONG WAY SO ÞHEY HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN /THATS ANOTHER WAY OF SCAMMING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY AND SOME PEOPLE GETTING A PIECE OF THE ACTION ( MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS ) FROM THE CONTRACTORS AND ITS BUSINESS AS USUAL AND THE WORK KEEPS TAKING LONGER TO COMPLETE / THATS REALLY SMART
I detest the fact that the minister has been making excuses after excuses for this incompetent contractor , blind leading blind
How is the contractor incompetent for following the engineer’s specifications? You have something against the man. If you’re so competent why don’t you bid and win a job so you can do it the right way.