Roadworks underway!
The Ministry of Communication and Works has announced that construction of the roads from Paraquita Bay to Hodge’s Creek will be carried out by Northam Construction over the next six months.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the ministry confirmed that Northam has been awarded a contract worth $2,386,000.96 to construct 3,813 linear feet of concrete roadway in the area.
The project will involve digging up and removing the existing asphalt layer, creating manholes and proper drainage systems, building wall structures, conducting earthworks and compaction, and installing the road base. Additionally, a new reinforced concrete roadway and entrance pavement will be constructed, with coordination from telecommunications providers to ensure service is not disrupted.
“Work is set to commence on Thursday, September 26, and we anticipate that these works will take approximately six months. We appreciate the patience and caution of motorists and residents as we continue ‘Building a Better Road Network One Project At A Time,'” stated Works Minister Kye Rymer.
Earlier in September, the Director of the Public Works Department (PWD), Jeremy Hodge, mentioned that a budget of $1.8 million was allocated for resurfacing 4.5 miles of road. Comprehensive repair and paving efforts began on the weekend of September 6, starting in Sea Cows Bay and focusing on critical areas prone to potholes and severe wear.
Notable locations included in the repair list are Gene Hill, Fish Bay, Brandywine Bay, and the stretch in front of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, as well as roads leading to Hodges Creek Marina and Fat Hogs Bay.
Hodge promised residents “decent drivable roads, comfortable to drive from West and straight through to the airport.” He informed the public that a contract was signed with Tortola Paving for labor and equipment, while PWD would supply asphalt to expedite the paving agenda.
Hodge added that PWD would also be engaged in paving and patching while Tortola Paving is working to ensure timely progress.
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That’s what was promised in Sea Cows Bay 5-6 months ago and now the road surface is worse along with a large derelict heavy equipment abandoned on the side of the road.
So, $ 2,386k dollars to do 3,813 feet. There are 5,200 feet to a mile, so that works out to be 0.73 miles, making the unit cost $ 3.25 million per mile. Doing same to 38 miles of road would need about $ 125 million.
This makes, Mr. Hodge’s allocation of $1.4 million for rehab 4.5 miles of roads (about $300k per mile) appear well short of what is needed, even for patch work.
It’s also taking 6 months to do the work, so about 8 months per mile. To get the 38 miles done in the Territory would then take 25 years. You could get more contractors, but get it done is going to take years
This illustrates the need to engineer the roads right (so once done we only need to maintain rather than repair)