Work for Harrigan Estate – $623K contract signed

Government has signed a contract valued at $623,000 with Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited, which will undertake works in the Harrigan Estate area of Tortola.

The company will build a retaining wall, as well as kerbs and slipper drains. It will also pave the stretch of roadway from the top of Fort Charlotte to the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church.

Minister of Communication and Works Mark Vanterpool today expressed confidence in the company, noting that it has completed similar projects in Long Trench, Fortune Ghut, and Ballast Bay.

“I expect that Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited will execute these works in Harrigan Estate with professionalism, within budget, and on time,” Vanterpool said while noting that he is monitoring the projects closely.

“As Minister for Communication and Works, I have been closely monitoring these projects to ensure that they are being done according to specifications, and I can report that they have been executed as required, and we are well on the way to completion. I commend all contractors and their teams who have worked and continue to work on these projects.”

Seven projects completed

Vanterpool noted that the contract signed today falls under the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan-funded programme to rehabilitate roads damaged locally during Tropical Storm Otto in 2010.

The loan provided in June 2012 was $15,670,000.

“So far, a total of $10,763,990.04 has been spent on these CDB projects. This leaves a loan balance of $4,906,09.96,” Vanterpool said today, March 7.

Giving a breakdown as to how the money has been spent so far, the minister stated that Tira Green was contracted in the amount of $52,750 to complete the planning regulations, and FDL Consult Incorporated was awarded a $499,500 contract for engineering consultancy.

He further explained: “There is one tender package now going through the National Competitive Bidding process via the standard local procurement procedures. This project is for rehabilitation works in Cox Heath.”

“Preparations are also being made for the contract signing between AMEC Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited and the Government of the Virgin Islands for the hydrology study. This contract is valued at $499.340,” added Vanterpool.

He noted that the projects already completed ARE:

1. Drainage solution and road rehabilitation works in Long Trench, carried out by Autland Heavy Equipment and Company Limited

2. Drainage improvement and road rehabilitation in Fortune Ghut, done by Autland Heavy Equipment and Company Limited

3. Road reconstruction and slope stabilization in Huntums Ghut, completed by Quality Construction

4. Road and Drainage Improvement in Palestina, by G-Unit Construction

5. Embankment stabilization and road reinstatement in Ballast Bay, done by Autland Heavy Equipment and Company Limited

6. Installation of a retaining wall at Thomas Land, completed by Autland Heavy Equipment and Company Limited

7. Drainage improvement in Parham Town, done by Sandwise Limited

Vanterpool, in the meantime, stated that five other contracts for infrastructure works are ongoing. They ARE:

1. Nottingham Estate – Construction of retaining walls and road rehabilitation, which is 90% complete. This project is being carried out by G-Unit Construction.

2. Greenland – Drainage solution and road stabilisation: 90% complete. This project is being done by Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited.

3. Windy Hill – Slope stabilisation and drainage construction by G-Unit Construction which is 5% complete.

4. Lee Road, Virgin Gorda – Drainage solution and road rehabilitation by Creative Builders Limited is 30% complete.

5. Horse Path – Road reconstruction, slope stabilization and drainage construction. Quality Construction was recently awarded this contract and work began last month.