Published 16 February 2024
Basseterre, Buckie Got It Media Source
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𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
The town hall meeting at the St. Peter’s Community Center on Thursday, February 15, 2024, was a much-needed platform for discussing the rehabilitation of the St. Peters Main Road and F.T. Williams Highway East.
Dozens of residents attended the meeting to receive an update on the project and voice their concerns. Among them were the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Terrence Drew, His Excellency Ambassador Cedric Liburd, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Sherilita (Shez) Dore-Tyson.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure et al., Mr. Daryl Lloyd, chaired the meeting.
The Honourable Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure et al., Public Works Department (PWD) Director George Gilbert, and the project’s contractor, Alexes Hazel of Rock & Dirt Ltd, discussed the nature and extent of the work completed behind the scenes.
Minister Maynard and Director Gilbert disclosed plans for a property condition survey slated to begin later this month as a precursor to roadwork. The pair also discussed plans to widen the road, construct new sidewalks, and install underground drainage, among other things.
Residents discussed existing and anticipatory challenges related to the project. Among them were concerns about the detours that might cause significant inconvenience in commuting through the area and the noise and dust pollution associated with the project.
Director Gilbert assured them that the PWD would give adequate notice of detours and informed them that the contractor would minimize dust pollution.
Other residents expressed the need for the project to reflect their input, to which Minister Maynard asked the public to share such input with the PWD and the contractors.
Contractor Alexes Hazel emphasized that the design and build project would accommodate input from the public. He committed to factoring into the project such concerns as he could adequately address, including a temporary measure to address issues related to dust pollution and the unevenness of adjacent roads, some of which might serve as detours.
Before the meeting ended, the Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Terrence Drew, gave brief remarks that underscored the project’s importance to the residents who collectively deemed it past due.
The Honourable Prime Minister also reiterated the importance of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in realizing the transformation of St. Peters.
If you would like more information regarding the St. Peters Main Road and F.T. Williams Highway East rehabilitation project, you may contact the Public Works Department (PWD) at 467-1122.
