Roads in St. Kitts to undergo multi-million dollar upgrade

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2013 (SKNIS): The Road Infrastructure in St. Kitts continues to be upgraded to make commuting safer and hassle free, as outlined at a recent ceremony, signalling the start of three major road developments.

Minister of Public Works and Utilities, Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin revealed that the project would significantly enhance traffic flow. These include the construction of a roundabout on the Frigate Bay Road opposite the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) servicing five roadways. Also, the repaving of the Cockleshell Bay Road to the Pelican Mall; traversing Sandown Road in Newtown and passing through the Bay Road in Basseterre will be executed. A new drainage system is featured in this upgrade. Thirdly, phase one of the cutting of the hill and benching at Timothy Hill.

Deputy Prime Minister Martin, stressed that the project is very important to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and added that citizens would benefit, as it aims to create jobs for locals.

“This project has involved quite a few contractors that would be based on a tendering process,” he said. “It has provided opportunities for our local contractors and our local workmen.”

Hon. Asim Martin mentioned that this project is valued at almost EC$25 million in construction work. He stated that this is by far the largest project being undertaken by the Government this year, and thanked the respective stakeholders who have come on board to make it possible.

Minister Martin declared that the Timothy Hill is of top priority and is the largest aspect of this project.

“I think it costs more than EC$5 million,” said Deputy Prime Minister. “It involves the rehabilitation of Timothy Hill, the benching and construction of a tunnel.”

He further went on to say that the aim was to get as many locals on board as possible.

“In the overall plan for this road, we wanted to make sure we had as many locals involved as possible,” he stressed. “One of the ways that we thought about doing this was to ensure that the heavy equipment operators would have direct participation in the construction aspect.”

According to the Director of The Public Works Department, George Gilbert, work on these developments started as early as December 2012 and are expected to conclude in October of this year, with the exception of phase two at Timothy Hill, which will most likely commence after phase one is completed in the next 16 weeks.