Utility companies cannot dig up new roads anymore
The Ministry of Communication and Works has come up with a strategy to prevent utility companies from returning to dig up roads after they have been paved.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communications and Works, Jeremy Hodge said this will be done by outfitting roads with various access points that will allow for ‘future development’ to take place.
“We are sleeving the roads which means it’s going to have conduits beneath the roads so that you can run lines underneath the road without digging it up,” Hodge said.
“The electricity corporation, for example, will tell us what size pipes they want to be placed underneath the road and so on. They will be able to access these pipes at varying points and then run their cables underneath the roads. So, the pipes will be there for as long as they (the utility companies) may need it.”
Hodge further explained: “We don’t want to put down roads today and then utility companies want to get under our brand-new roads to develop. Also in the event of a hurricane, wires will already be underground that will allow for a faster recovery of these utilities.”
Project to cost millions
This initiative is part of a multimillion-dollar road development project, which will be a collaborative effort between road developers and utility agencies such as Water & Sewerage, the Electricity Corporation, and telecommunication providers.
Hodge said these roadworks will take place at various locations on Tortola.
One of those areas will run from West End to Pockwood Pond. Other areas to undergo road development are Huntums Ghut, John’s Hole, East End, and a section of Wickhams Cay II.
“I think it (the cost of development) is in the range of about $11 million for those roads and another $2 million will be used for secondary roads,” Hodge told BVI News.
He said all these roads will be fitted with sidewalks, handicap access, and a modern sewerage network.
The ministry said the upcoming development will result in the creation of a ‘work-class transportation infrastructure system’.
“We have support advice from UK technicians that have been sent by the United Kingdom government and local technicians working along with them to receive their requisite training and skill set so that when we develop these modern infrastructures, we can actually maintain them,” Hodge said.
He told BVI News his ministry is now awaiting the required funds from the Ministry of Finance.
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good initiative as long as it does not elongate the process.Some of these so called enhancements take forever .
They make this announcement as if it is a new revelation. How incompetent can you get. This is STANDARD in most developed and developing countries.
Speaks to the inability of the government to adequately coordinate its infrastructure and utility development. Why are we still so far behind.
Most sensible thing I’ve read yet. This should have been started years ago, but glad to see it finally happening.
Somebody finally realized its pretty silly to destroy the road every time a pipe or cable needs attention. One step closer to 1st world country status…
the motoring public, and especially those who had to purchse a new vehicle after Irmaria, get a relief from the destruction that their vehicle endure from East End to to town every day?
The current condition of the roads are destroying all vehicles. Therefore, the new one will have a diminished life span at the current rate, due to excessive pounding and rugged roads.
Even a temporary top coat and the filling of pot holes will.
Please use some of our taxes dollars to fix and give us decent roads that our vehicles will last a bit longer.
How about changing the law to shift the responsibility on the utility companies for the cost of the damage done to the roads by the utility companies and require them to re-pave within 3 days but not later than 7 days of carrying out their work. and not the patch and go nonsense…it has to be such that it would not be evident that the road was dug up. also…are the utility companies going to be required to pay some of the cost of this new exercise…FLOW etc….
No. Sorry but the Ministry is correct. This new policy will keep these companies from digging up the roads altogether. Making them pay to fix back the road does not solve the issue of the roads being dug up every few months and the hardship motorist have to face with blocked roads here and there. If this policy makes our infrastructure more modern and efficient why kick against it? Let government do their job.
Isn’t this what Mark Vanterpool was suppose to have been doing just before and right after the 2015 elections when they handed out a set of petty contracts that were left incomplete….??? Huuuuhhhh?
He is the Minister still so isn’t he effectively doing it, despite being later than sooner? Only when it’s bad he is the Minister but when it’s good it’s someone else? I’m confused.
Mark is a … leader through manipulation!!!
It sounds good but this is what has been suggested for years, so dont make it look like they are geniuses. Its election, he is t running but he is trying to save face.
In other countries they would have to pay to dig up and fix back when they finish. Them is who got the roads in such a deplorable condition and want to be blaming Pubic Works. Thank you Jeremy. Long over due
Jeremy is just the spokeperson for MWC. Give credit to Uk engineers who initiated something that should have been done along time ago.
and we have only thought about this now.. election coming
A step in the right direction.
roads to be fitted “modern sewerage network” Exactly what does that mean here ?
15 years ago road paving, without any underlying works, was estimated at $1MM per mile. How are we estimating this project under $13MM, including conduits, sewerage systems and grading?
How about all respetive agencies-sewerage, telephone,and electricity- placing comprehensive plans to conduct infrastructural repairs all at once?
This is the plan thats needed going forward. We just dont have that kind of comprehensive logistics. And we’re not hearing any kind of common sense approach by any leader that’s running for anything!
What new roads? No decent infrastructure!
It’s about time. It only took 30 years. No,vision at all. This nonsense has been going on for to long.