Excavation works is set to commence on the Boetica gorge on Tuesday (September 22) to create a bypass for residents in that area, Parliamentary Representative of the La Plaine constituency Petter Saint Jean announced on Monday.
Since the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27th, the two south eastern communities of Delices and Boetica have been cut off from the rest of the island and only had access through the precipice and up a hill side onto Boetica.
He said government is also looking at two interventions at the gorge.
“I am pleased to announce this evening that excavation works will commence tomorrow morning at the Boetica Gorge,” Saint Jean said. “We are seeking to create a bypass which will provide vehicular access to the four-wheel drives in the first instance and possibly other motor vehicles.”
Saint Jean advised the public to take note that works will be from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and then from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on a daily basis.
“This is important because we need the residents of Delices and Boetica who use the gorge for access into Laplaine and Roseau to understand that in order to ensure that we do this road in the shortest possible time frame, that we much ensure that we curtail human activity in this area as much as possible,” he explained.
He continued, “It means therefore that for the people attempting to access Roseau that they would have to get to the gorge before 8:00 am, and of course the buses get back between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm so that works out perfectly for the people of Delices and Boetica.”
Saint Jean also urged the people of Delices and Boetica to exercise restraint when using the area and should be there only if it is absolutely necessary.
“Because importantly we want to ensure that access is created within the shortest possible time frame,” he stated.
The construction of a zip line across the gorge will also commence on Thursday (September 24) to provide supplies to the two communities and should be completed by the end of the week.
“This is in an effort to allow the people of Delices and Boetica to get provisions, supplies and the works across the gorge into Delices and Boetica,” he said.
Saint Jean pointed out that the government is also looking to construct a new bridge on the site of the old Boetica Bridge but stated it is not going to be an easy task.
“That is a bigger challenge for us,” he said. “We have been advised by the engineers that because of the width of the gorge that we are going to have to place on order a special bridge, and because of the length of that bridge that there will be some works that would have to be done, and therefore it will take roughly three to four months before we see that bridge is in place.”
According to Saint Jean it will cost the government, “a few million dollars to put down the works that we are presently doing.”
He thanked the residents of Boetica for their forbearance and understanding.
It is a real gorge. TS Erika, look at what you did to Dominica and those villages. You wiped out their bridges, washed away some of their homes and buried some of their people. You were indeed a dangerous storm. To see they were not aware you were headed for Dominica.
God help all those affected to eventually re-build their lives and property, the latter where possible.
This looks dangerous for climbing down and up. Some people are brave. I would not dare venture to do that. I can tell you this much about me, I am scared of such heights. What if the rope burst? If I were a young child, as a teenager I would take a chance; not as an adult. Call me scared chicken little.
Hopefully the bridge will be placed in an appropriate place and will be a strong one.
God help all those who are involved in deciding on the area and who will be constructing it. Please guide their hands and also keep them safe. Thank you, Lord!
this gorge needs more than a Bailey Bridge. a bridge can be built there with ease just need to get some real experts and not some high school educated expert to do the designs. it may cost some cash but in the end it will serve a better purpose than the last one did.
Why not cut a road in a different place that is more secure. There has had history of landslide. Please do not make a short cut bridge of make something that will last and the villagers will feel secure. Isn’t Austrie the minister for communication? Foreigners should give structural direction but only Dominicans know dominica.
the amount of rainfall and water that country receive. Put culverts everywhere. Get the road workers like before who unblocked the culverts and cleared the roadways. Do not throw the knowledge of the elderly people away we should learn from them.
what about the Sr.Cousels? LMAO. We want real men in office. Darroux showed his worth let the BIG mouths show us what they are made of. Those Girlie men in high office.
would like to see the Pal rep, the P.M & austrie try that climb. All they have is mouth.. The Public works minister don’t even mention.. Not Even lloydy P
dominica new York…. you must be loosing it. That bridge in Boetica was built in the 60’s when some four or five men lost their lives during the construction…..
Most of these kids in office were not even boluses in their mom’s uteri.
Lol teach em Twell
I thought the engineer Skerrit said he was going to put a Bailey Bridge there? How come is Peter St. Jean that talking now, where is Mr. Super Minister who controls all ministries? Do our local engineers have any ideas about the problem?
The bridge for that place has to be a single span suspended bridge with cables similar to the old Bath Estate bridge. In that case the abutments should be placed away from the sides of the gorge and later a stepped wall can be built from the bottom of the gorge to road level to control erosion. It will cost some dollars but Maduro or China should take care of that.
DNO should show a pic of the large landslide all along this road. A bypass is absolutely necessary but it can only be temporary. This whole route needs to be rethought if they cannot stabilize the slide because any new bridge built will be destroyed.
Lol Are U serious guy? What you smoking? Pot has not been legalized in DA yet. Weed , tabak Zombie messzehmarie is wild in DA I know. Does China and/or Venezuela holding money for DA?
Man U must be smoking some real old weed.
Build it we must. Yes it`s going to cost us big time. But what other choice we have? Win, loose. Draw, Where are those # mouthers? Just asking.
joeblo remember is workers that build it ,,,, just remeber father joh wrote a song on it
That Boetica crossing was built in the 60’s, I was a young employee of communications and works with minister Didier,when five men died from a slide right there after heavy rains!
Tantoro Didier I remember as am adolescent.am well passed my 4th decade of life Really so if you worked with Tantor U must be nearing Alzhiemers so tell us can U recall if there was more rain then or now /Erika ?
Tickle me REALLY
And so what?! Plenty of the bridges that were built is Freedom Party that built them…and Ericka still took them and go.
You blowhards always have to bring politics in everything. A simple little joke the person make about the size of the gorge and Tarzan you want to turn into politics??
Bon Dieu.
I doh think Tarzan would try to pass there non!
Dicey now is a good time to enact and film your song… ahoooo!! Not there you from non?
Coco me Grazzhhh!!