UPDATE: Authorities close road in Roseau Valley

The area is posing a danger to motorists

Authorities have closed the road in the Shawford area due to a landslide east of the Trafalgar/Copthall junction.

The road closure is between the junction and Trafalgar. 

Reports are that half of the road, up to 100 feet, fell into the river in the area on Wednesday morning in an area called Cabanis.

Motortists are being asked to take the Copthall to Wotten Waven Road, going as far a Trafalgar as an alternative route. 

Dominica has been experiencing heavy showers of rain in the past few days and the Dominica Met Office says high pressure system is the dominant feature across the region generating a brisk trade wind flow.

It said that low level clouds moving with this wind flow will continue to result in occasional cloudiness and scattered showers across the island chain during the next 24 to 48 hours.

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63 Comments

  1. DC
    December 29, 2016

    Some of the comments made have absolutely no technical basis. Shaka Zulu and made a good point lower down in the comments. Read it nuh. Dominica’s terrain is difficult full stop. This is our reality. I don’t think it’s just to point fingers and anyone or thing (come on with the evil talk). Yes, monitoring and maintenance needs to be done at a higher level…more frequently and thoroughly. Yes, we need roads designed with hazards in mind. But please note: The road does indeed have surface drainage and a culvert too (as mentioned before). The material built on is not fill. There seems to be water source from the cliff side which is seeping under the road. The rain aggravated it further and caused the slippage. Remember to take in consideration the big picture. Think of the many roads in Dominica that are in need of repair. Think of the many other needs we have. Think of our resources. Yes change is needed and it will come! But governance is not as simple as 123.

  2. Refrigginly
    December 29, 2016

    Dear Mr Parl Rep and other decision makers,

    We understand that we need to take the Wotten Waven road now. Please make it motorable and safe for commuters. Now, all members of your constituency will need to take this road, and we honestly feel that this road could and should be made safer for us and our children. I saw young men trying to feverishly fill pot holes and gaps in the road yesterday, under the pouring rain. If a group of young men can see the need for this quick action…..

    We are always willing and ready to help. But we need at least a similar level of the support we gave, to be reciprocated. Help us to be safe. Help us keep our tourism livelihood. Help us decrease our vulnerability. Help us feel empowered enough to be self-sufficient as a constituency.

    Check us irie nuh boss oh gosh man!

  3. anon
    December 29, 2016

    building on sand…..

  4. Just saying
    December 29, 2016

    No retaining wall?

  5. Princess Natari
    December 28, 2016

    Just after Silver Lake in the westerly direction is another area that will soon be posing the same danger and challenge. The engineers in the MOCW were alerted and nothing has been done yet. This afternoon I noticed some land slippage in the area.
    This is some serious that is happening on our roads.

  6. Food
    December 28, 2016

    That road was collapsing slowly but surely. I remember going to the boiling lake during the summer and the edge of the road was already eroding away. That alone should have prompted action from authorities/public works.

  7. December 28, 2016

    they cannot cope, they cannot manage!!!!!

  8. The spiritual one
    December 28, 2016

    kalinago curse falling on all a you, give us back our land

  9. Talking Point
    December 28, 2016

    To those who knew the area before the road rehabilitation, a few years ago, should know when there was heavy rains in the area, water would rush down the mountain, but we had nothing like what happened last week, and today. The contractors build a drain across the road in the area the slide came down, there could be seepage of water which cause the road to collapse , over a period of time, i think the engineers should take a look at the culvert. Right now the wotten waven road , is the only exit out of the valley, and there maybe a next Hazard to happen, given the heavy traffic on this road, as the tourist season has just opened

  10. KID ON THE BLOCK
    December 28, 2016

    Words have POWER! Dominica is being Hit now by the CURSES of the POWER Hungry Opposition! Nothing is never good in their site. To oppose for opposing sake, criticize, and give the country bad name is their motive. Now Dominica is getting what they have been asking for.

    • Eidolon
      December 29, 2016

      You’re an idiot.

  11. freegid tree
    December 28, 2016

    The other thing is that – before the Chinese, and Japs, and Taiwanes came to our country all was “seemingly” going well with a little incident here and there. Everybody was able and could afford to buy a piece of land and property. However, all greed broke loose from hell and people became exceedingly greedy! Selling a little piece of lot for millions, renting houses for an arm and a leg – Some would rent theirs for two legs and two arms.

    There was this lady who had a desirous piece of land for sale, so I told my uncle to contact the woman for me, because I wanted to purchase same. The lady (who knew my uncle well) told him, that it’s for Chines she selling her land. Now, landslides and flooding is the order of the day in DA. Eh heh. Soon land will be sold for the price of bread. Do you know what that means? Money will soon lose all it’s value. Then the rich men will toss their silver and their gold from their windows; but not even the poor will have need for it. The bible…

  12. Yet Still I Stand
    December 28, 2016

    One of the country’s problem is that, they take to long to address issues like that. I mean there are many other places that’s not to far from getting just like that or worse. Our roadways ,hospitals, police & fire departments should be top priority. We invite tourist into our country,but look at the roadway up to stews. Come on we need to come better than that. Where’s the $100 increase on registration going? I call it like I see it. Not trying to put anyone down we as a country needs to come better .

  13. οἰκονομία
    December 28, 2016

    Calling Colinnnnnn but where my parl rep.

  14. Rosie
    December 28, 2016

    This road appears to be built on fill without a retaining wall. Take a look at the sandy soil falling like flour. They obviously cut the hillside and built the road on backfill. This is a sloppy job and the road contractors, engineers and others involved should be held responsible, including the Minister at the time. This is a new road, what a shame.

    • Shaka Zulu
      December 28, 2016

      This is not fill. Dominica was created by composite volcanoes. Layers of Ash and lava. We are located in the tropics with lots of moisture hence the material is deeply weathered and unconsolidated. At a river to the toe of the cliffs and constant vibration/ load at the top you will eventually get landslide. The roads are basically built in high landslide risk areas mainly because they first served as tracks. There are normally signs like tension gaps, sinks/depressions tilted posts, barricades etc that indicate slow Earth movement. Small recent earthquakes may have added to instabilities and fractures. Bottom line is people in the ministry of communication and works should do monthly road inspections on high risk areas and be proactive instead of reactive. I suspect there are not enough qualified folks to do this and we put people lives at risk with false sense of security. With the changes in weather and stream patterns it’s going to be the norm.

      • Roger Burnett
        December 29, 2016

        You are quite correct. The situation at Antrim is a text book example of flawed practice.

  15. Athie Martin
    December 28, 2016

    This latest road failure reminds us thProfessional Engineers, the Ministry of Works and at there are several ‘hotspots’ on our road network which required urgent attention but have been neglected. The persistent rain over the past several weeks is revealing all the weaknesses and now place human lives at severe risk. I suggest that the Association of a Professional Engineers with the guidance of the ODM, assemble Teams that will conduct a rapid assessment of these ‘hotspots’ with a view to recommending actions that will secure our safety. Some roads may have to be closed temporarily, others will have to be properly signed and still others will have to receive immediate attention for repair. This the middle of the tourism season so there will be concerns about the loss of tourist dollars. The choice is between the loss of dollars and the loss of lives … a no brainer for me, but a decision that seems to test our management and governance systems to the point of inaction.

    • Athie, I am viewing damages which are all due to water saturation of the earth, caused by heavy rainfall. It does not take a rocket scientists, nor one or two engineers to figure out prior to the construction of the road the route was too close to the edge of the river bank.

      If you look closely you will discover the road is built on a very narrow path.

      Someone should have thought; if there was no alternative rout, they should have built a retaining wall from the river bed up to the level of the road! In addition to that we do not see any form of system that should prevent stagnation of water on the surface of the road; we do not see any gutters for drainage. When water is stagnant it’s impossible for all to evaporate, hence it soak into the ground saturating the soil; resulting in soil erosion and again resulting in exactly what we are viewing.

      Commonsense should have told the contractors, to cut deeper on the side of the mountain or land on the opposite side of the river…

    • Continue Reading Athie:

      Commonsense should have told the contractors, to cut deeper on the side of the mountain or land on the opposite side of the river. Nevertheless, in Dominica we always take the cheapest way out, which usually turn out to be more costly. Athie; do you remember, more than twenty years ago, you were the chief opponent who opposed the building of an International Airport in the country?

      If your memory is long enough you will remember I told you in Wesley, the very night after the public meeting, when you first announced you were going to get the other two parties DLP, DFP to come together, in order to defeat Edison James, and the UWP. You succeeded, and the first measure on your agenda was to shut down the International Airport which was in its first phase of construction, and chase the Engineers, and contractors from Trinidad & Tobago out of Dominica.

      You also told the contractors who were building the secondary school in Wesley which was part of the…

    • Continue Athie:

      It is my understanding, you also told the contractors who were building the secondary school in Wesley which was part of the project to omit the fifth, or six form college from the building. I was told when the building contractor asks you why do you want to omit the fifth form or sixth college from the Plan, you responded ” We already have one in Roseau already.” Athie the damage a single person can cause a country, when the play selfish politics, looking out for self, and power such damages become irreparable ?

      Remember I told you if the International Airport was not build then, it would cost a lot more to build in the future. When the UWP was building it. Be reminded my friend, the UWP was spending less than four hundred million dollars to build the Airport, you and others including Roosevelt Skerrit that Crapo said it was too expensive, and that you all could get one built for less than a fraction of what Edison was spending. On Bertrand, and Gonzalez…

    • Finally Athie:

      On Bertrand, and Gonzalez advise you wasted about half of a billion dollars for ” Douglas-Charles swamp, which turned out to be a money pit.

      Arthie, while Gonzalez conned you and Skerrit, and all involved, while he told you all do not build an International Airport, because Dominica do not need it, at the same time he was negotiating to have an International Airport built in his country St. Vincent; hence, Argyle International Airport is reality in St. Vincent this very day.

      History proved me correct, because recently Roosevelt Skerrit in a Town Hall meeting in the village of Marigot told the people that it will cost more than a billion dollars to build a new airport in the country. They say who cannot hear will feel, how does it feel now my illustrious friend?

      Anyway I am sorry to hear about the passing of our mutual friend Mona.

  16. Foreigner
    December 28, 2016

    Yet another example of a massive outlay being required because basic road maintenance was not being done (like Pond Casse a few years ago). The culvert under the road had been blocked for ages, resulting in a lake forming between the hill and the road every time there was heavy rain. It must have been undermining the road for years.

  17. john doe
    December 28, 2016

    well skerrit time to spend some of our passport money! on another note the asphalt on that road surface isn’t 1/4 inch
    we are being given a ride on all government issued contracts since skerrit came in. I wonder if is my and them not benefiting. kickbacks taking effect all over

  18. The Darkness
    December 28, 2016

    This was not all at once on Wednesday.

    Admin I hope you read this!

    This began during the summer, very gradually. Every time there is a weather system running us through, i can hear the fall of this mountain, slowly but surely.

    The gape in the road, that you see in the picture, was once Road + shelf. The shelf disappeared this past Summer, and the road started falling apart, into the river just below during the start of November. This observation is all from first hand witnesses, residing in Copthall, just after the bridge.

    Reaching out to a Pal rep is almost impossible. We don’t even see his face (not to be political in the least bit). Politics will not rebuild the roads, people will.

    We have never required politics for jack****. It can always been done by us, the people.

    Politics = Poli (many) + tics (blood suckers)

  19. freegid tree
    December 28, 2016

    Most if the island soil is sulfuric, and it’s spreads like a cancer through the terrain. The direct effect of the sulfur is clearly seen at the Valley of desolation. I’ve been saying it for years, and will say it again. Dominicans should seriously consider sea transport as an alternative to get from point A to point B. It will cost us less to travel; We’d travel less; These types of accidents will drastically reduced; Public works won’t be spending half the money they are currently spending to maintain the roads – LET ME BACK TRACK; THEY ARE NOT MAINTAINING THE ROADS. :twisted:

    • The Thinker
      December 28, 2016

      We will CANOE up the river to Trafalgar.

      • freegid tree
        December 28, 2016

        Remember what you read! I said “sea transport.” I didn’t mention no river, ok? :twisted:

    • dee
      December 28, 2016

      Freegid
      I get your point
      I hear you going to invest in a dozen donkeys to compete with de buses on our roads too .

    • Refrigginly
      December 29, 2016

      Please explain… How we supposed to travel to the valley by sea now?

    • “Most if the island soil is sulfuric,”

      Can you disclose where you get that information from, or say if you have some geological training which afforded you do some research and came to that conclusion.

      Are you a geologists! I what you say is true, tell how many times you planted some agricultural plants anywhere in the country, and the fail to grow. Answer that, and then I will prove to you your theory about this sulfuric thing you mentioned, is nothing more than a bad joke!

  20. freegid tree
    December 28, 2016

    Heh! it’s one after de other non stop. Oh mr. AM, could you ask your boss in China to relocate us to Beijing?? We’ll grow rice there. Eh heh… :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  21. Academic
    December 28, 2016

    The evil and hypocrisy that is practiced in high office in this country that’s haunting us now. Let the play begin!!!

  22. Common Sense
    December 28, 2016

    Look at the road – there is no drainage system. No gutters to divert the excessive water away from the road and it’s foundation. Obviously a disaster that was waiting to happen.

    • DC
      December 29, 2016

      Some of the comments made have absolutely no technical basis. Shaka Zulu and made a good point lower down in the comments. Read it nuh. Dominica’s terrain is difficult full stop. This is our reality. I don’t think it’s just to point fingers and anyone or thing (come on with the evil talk). Yes, monitoring and maintenance needs to be done at a higher level…more frequently and thoroughly. Yes, we need roads designed with hazards in mind. But please note: The road does indeed have surface drainage and a culvert too (as mentioned before). The material built on is not fill. There seems to be water source from the cliff side which is seeping under the road. The rain aggravated it further and caused the slippage. Remember to take in consideration the big picture. Think of the many roads in Dominica that are in need of repair. Think of the many other needs we have. Think of our resources. Yes change is needed and it will come! But governance is not as simple as 123.

  23. nicki
    December 28, 2016

    all the fast work what do you expect to happen here. back walls should have been put in place you have to build infraructure thats gonna last ……..

  24. nicki
    December 28, 2016

    all thfast an lazy work thats expectedem roads falling they should have put in back walls but then is

  25. Valley Girl
    December 28, 2016

    We really need to start ensuring that communities have more than one access in and out. This one way in one way out just makes communities even more vulnerable. If there was more than one main access to Boetica for example, after TS Erika, the village would not have been cut off, during heavy rains people would not need to worry about being able to get home because one little part of their journey would be flooded, people of Dubique may not have had to risk their lives crossing a dangerously overflown river to safety. When a community is cut off, it means they are cut off from medical attention, for being able to ensure a sustainable supply of food and supplies, from being able to go to work and school.
    We need more than one entry point to communities, and all entry points must be maintained in motorable and safe condition. Roads and bridges which were built long ago used more traditional and practical methods which were more feasible for D/a, and which consider the changing climate.

    • Lenovo
      December 28, 2016

      I agree…I wanted to like your comment but it was shadowed out. I don’t know why.

    • jess
      December 28, 2016

      That is very true! That is a good point.

    • STUPES
      December 28, 2016

      OK. So you giving dem de money to do what you suggesting? Stupes… all you want to do all kind of fings but when govt want to raise taxes all you have a problem…

      • jeladin baptiste
        December 28, 2016

        For something like that government may not need to raise taxes. Raising taxes should always be a last resort. There are so many different types of funds that exist. And I don’t mean loans, I mean grant funding. Funds we can get, to do the sh*t we need to do, and not have to pay back.

      • Tony
        December 29, 2016

        To: STUPES

        Hello and good afternoon my people. She’s offering practical suggestions and solutions to this nation wide problems. I always wonder what were the engineers thinking when the build the roads without any drain to prevent the water from undermining the foundation . They don’t build any retaining walls.

  26. %
    December 28, 2016

    WOW!!! This looks dangerous!!!Heavy vehicle drivers must be careful!

  27. Analyst
    December 28, 2016

    Put ACE Engineering to reconstruct these roads properly once and for all.

  28. papa
    December 28, 2016

    Alas lord we need prayers

  29. Good
    December 28, 2016

    scary

  30. john3 16
    December 28, 2016

    roads without drains???

    • Valley Girl
      December 28, 2016

      that may seem to be the case considering the pool of water collected just beneath the part where the road has fallen

      • The Thinker
        December 28, 2016

        Hey VALLEY GIRL ? That pool is a RIVER when did you last visit?

      • Valley Girl
        December 28, 2016

        Hey THE THINKER, everyday, I live in the valley, and literally had to race across this road this morning because it start slipping. I am not talking about the river, I am speaking about the rainwater being pooled under the road. The river flows at a lower level. If you look up at the damage from the Plymouth bridge, you would be able to see what I an referring to more clearly. The soil is drenched

    • SC
      December 28, 2016

      there is a slipper drain on one side..the road seems to be super elevated in that direction.

  31. Massacre
    December 28, 2016

    Sad happenings in my land .

  32. For the love of D/ca
    December 28, 2016

    Nature’s response to a “ONE MAN” govern state… blows on PM Skerrit.

    God / the mystic’s natural surroundings is sending a message, saying you can’t fix it all on your own or challenging the benefits to a select few. The infrastructural development in Dominica will become so overwhelming, as a result of Natural disasters, that you’ll soon swallow your pride by force PM and re-mobilise the Public Works fraternity.

    You’re not stronger than the forces of the virtuous PM… continue facilitating your demise – good luck.

  33. Franklyn Cuffy
    December 28, 2016

    This was only a matter of time. A stitch in time saves nine.
    We are so blessed that there are always warning signs before disaster take place.

    Let us continue to pray that God will always put a hand to protect His People.

  34. Born D.A
    December 28, 2016

    :( :( :(

  35. Vaffanculo_PM
    December 28, 2016

    He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
    Proverbs 28:9 That is why our prayers not working in Dominica. 8-O

    • Arte El Labore
      December 28, 2016

      What Dominica needs is lots of common sense from politicians and public not prayers ,it’s also time black people start leaving in the real world and stop talking rubbish.

  36. Dominica
    December 28, 2016

    THe authorities need to look at the road going towards Rosalie. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Lets not wait until someone dies or gets hurt to fix this. Our lives are important to us and to our families. PLEASE FIX THAT ROAD!!!

    • Shameless
      December 28, 2016

      No problems! Money is a plenty so just wait your turn because 2050 is just around the corner and the cabal pocket comes first

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

  37. Dominica
    December 28, 2016

    We ought to be careful. These drums have been there for years now and nothing has been done. What do we expect. In a matter of time it will collapse. But money is no issue in Dominica…we just only wait for the disaster to happen before we use allll the money. Thank God no one was hurt or no lives were lost. We are blessed.

    • Valley Girl
      December 28, 2016

      These drums have only been there since Friday evening.

    • Omega
      December 28, 2016

      Wrong Location

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