Technical issues halt Little Dix roadworks

Paving between Jennings Hill and Little Dix Hill has been temporarily halted because of technical problems at the quarry supplying material for the project, Acting Director of Public Works Kurt Hodge said.

Hodge said the Public Works Department has not abandoned the project and will resume paving once the quarry receives the machinery needed to restore its operations.

Public Works began the project to repair the road and improve drainage along the hillside. The work includes constructing kerbs and slipper drains to direct water and prevent loose material from washing onto the roadway.

“What we’ve been doing out here, we are trying to improve the drainage system,” Hodge stated.

He explained that the new drainage infrastructure should control water flow while separating it from the road surface.

“One of the ways we’re improving the drainage system is by doing a kerb and slipper to the hillside, and what that does, it helps with keeping the material from the hillside coming onto the road,” Hodge stated.

The department completed the slipper drain and kerb walls before laying asphalt. According to Hodge, paving initially progressed without difficulty but stopped after the quarry encountered technical problems.

“The asphalt process was going really great, but due to some technical difficulties with the quarry, which is not anything that Public Works can do, there were some technical difficulties with the quarry where we’re getting the material from,” Hodge stated.

He said the quarry must obtain a particular piece of machinery before it can supply the department with more material. Public Works will then restart its asphalt plant and complete the roadworks.

Hodge appealed for patience from motorists and residents who may believe that the unfinished project has been left unattended.

The Ministry of Communications and Works had announced that paving at Little Dix Hill would continue from August 19 to 21, between 10 am and 3 pm each day. The schedule formed part of road paving operations that also included work at Fort Hill on August 18.

“I know it looks like we’ve abandoned the project, but we haven’t abandoned the project. It’s just that we’re experiencing some technical difficulties with the quarry,” Hodge stated.

He did not provide a date for the quarry to receive the machinery or for work to resume.

“We’re really trying to improve the road infrastructure. And once the quarry is back up and running to full strength, we’ll be able to finish this project out, which is one of many that we’ll be doing throughout the territory,” Hodge stated.