Minister of Public Works Rayburn Blackmoore has given an indication that help is being sought to reduce the occurrences of falling rocks and to better handle other such situations along the cliff near the village of Tarreau.
The Minister was speaking to members of the press while he and other ministry officials exhibited some of the works done there, this morning. He said that the assistance is being sought as part of the West Coast Road Project.
Blackmoore said, “We have written to the Chinese, through the ambassador, to have some shelving done and to use a modern wire netting system to mitigate against the occurrence of any rolling rocks or rolling stones under the cliff area and what you will see is a total transformation of the entire area.”
He also sought to bring some clarity to the appearance on that section of the project, pointing out what motorists and the public, at large, should expect once the project is completed.
“Upon completion one will realize the kind of improvement that would have taken place in term of transforming the physical landscape from Roseau to Burrough’s Square in Portsmouth. [The works] in Tarreau represents a major intervention. We have seen the completion of a sea defence wall with an approximate cost of $25-million. We are also going to see the reconstruction of the road component of the project and we’re going to have, upon completion, two lanes with a wide enough shoulder for vehicles to pull over. Each lane will be 3.75 meters wide. We’re just finalizing the design to have the bridge extended by five meters to allow for bi-directional traffic flow in a two-lane arrangement. You will realize also that we have started the backfilling and the excavation of [the southern approach] for a smoother transition,” he stated.
He expects that motorists will find the entire project creates for them a much safer, better road surface than previous, providing the opportunities for greater commerce as it links the two main towns on the island as the most traversed stretch of road in the country.
The entire project improves 45 kilometers of roadway.
Yes Mr. Dawoud, I strongly support your concern for the Lagoon to Capuchin road. I drove on that road last week and I wondered whether Reginald had lost his tongue.
“Help is being sought.” Are you telling me that this was not part of the assessment and implementation phases of the project?
Here we go again with Kubulians attacking each other for speaking the truth. There are some people who just sit behind their keyboards and let their fingers do the thinking.
The cliff and sea are like the PINK ELEPHANTS in the room. You cannot miss them, and must secure them before moving on to anything else (sea walls, netting, wave breakers, etc). Common, man. The Chinese built one of the eight wonders of the world, for god sake; and it was built during the Ming Dynasty, at that.
I know that I will get a bunch of thumps down for this, but here it goes: Who do we have building the roads? Engineers or ex-convicts. Hello!!!
Just because you are giving me something doesn’t mean that you don’t have to put your all into it.
I agree with some of the posters here. It appears that with all the good intention, this appears to be a case of the carriage being put before the horse. A project of that magnitude required foresight. Assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, evaluation, continued maintenance. Basic tenets of engineering.
We Kubulians must stop being so partisan. Let’s speak the truth when it concerns everyone’s well-being.
blackmoore the rocks were falling before you and i were born so it should be in your original three lane highway with bypass in mahaut plan.
that is what you told us a fews years back well except for shelving, you did not mention that.
i like what i saw on my vacation keep working.good job just spring every morning with water to keep the DUST on a low.
Dominica will always be home love u dominica and always even if the prime minister their or not.workers always.
WHAT ABOUT DUCBIC ROAD.
where is that road
every yhing just cannot be done at the same time. Its just not possible.
Explain that statement to me. Blackmore said that they have written to the Chinese to have some shelving done and to use a wire-netting system to prevent rocks from falling. When did Govt. find out that rocks are falling under the Tarreau cliff? Who prepared the designs for the project? So the original designs had not taken those measures into consideration? So the Chinese Co. rehabilitating the road did not know that they had to shelve and use wire-netting in certain areas according to the designs provided?
The Chinese Co. did not dig up a signicant portion of the old road surface, but just laid a new surface of asphalt on the same old base. That is the kind of work that was done for miles upon miles of road. That is the situation. Asphalt just laid on the old base. Blackmore, after concerns vented from Dominicans and local engineers, tried to be bold to say so but was sanctioned and the situation remained the same up to today.
Because of pressure from Dominicans, the Chinese co. is now digging up the old surface, like under the canefield cliff before putting on asphalt. We must never be afraid to express our concerns on national issues or about national projects which are not being done properly. We are Dominicans and should never settle for less.
I like this way of thinking. When I read statements like yours, I know that we are heading to a good place; and we will have the right people with the right knowledge in the right places (if you are placed in the right position). If you have been to NY, that is exactly what they do. If there is a hole in the road, some idiot comes and pours a bucket of asphalt in it. One month later, the hole reappears. You go to France, the same hole is actually stripped and repaired within a desired circumference to account for earth movement, thaw-out cycle, changing weather conditions, etc. In NY, their method is not cost-effective. In France, the repairs last for years.
Be vocal, and be proud of your fortitude to stand and speak loudly when things are going wrong. You advocate for all Kubulians.
I salute you.
When are we going to see the other end of the road from Picard to Portsmouth rehabilitated. That piece of road is in a mess with pot holes.On another note please get rid of that transitional syncline on the Picard highway. It`s a nuisance.
i am very happy that attention is being payed on buiding roads we need it thanks to all responsible to make it happened
Considering how mountainous and rocky Dominica is, Tarreau, Canefield, Pointe Michel – Solomon, specifically the latter two should also have a mesh. I do recognize that everything takes time. For Tarreau, it is a beginning.
I am informing you fellow Dominicans, Dominica is improving therefore appreciate the improvement.
God bless Dominican and Dominican residents.
While I state this the Catholic Radio is on as always 24/7. I also receive inspiration and encouragement from what I hear on this Radio Station 101.7, WLOF FM which is transmitted via Buffalo, N.Y. area which spurs me on.
Tarreau needs a two-lane bridge. The cliff needs to be addressed and wire-mesh with metal ties added. The same method was used on rock face leading up to Albany New York and it continues to do its job. Holes were dug and concrete was piped-in to help stabilize soil in the surrounding area.
Is it me or is there something wrong with this picture? 25 million spent on a wall (concrete and water) that stretches for half a mile? My God, what really is going on in Dominica. There is no way on God’s earth that a wall less than half a mile long can cost 25 million…voleur!!!!
This is so true,cocomacque going on for sure. Who dem man fooling? 25 million for a piece of concrete.
Welcome to the new Dominica, next level no doubt where an airport parking lot cost 70 million and a short piece of wall cost 25 million.
Do all you thing, we will come back and get our money!
good work
dno stop being byass
ADMIN: Byass? LMFAO!!!!!!!!
LOL…
need spelling classes
good job
I am so happy to hear about that. I have just been hoping that this was not swept under the rug. So much comendable work has already been done in that area among others. I must say I am satisfied to see this and would be absolutely thrilled if the solution to the rocks falls is accomplished. Good Job.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Mr. Blackmore, any sound individual would appreciate the infrastructural development undertaken in different parts of the island. Thus one should be principled and ethical to show appreciation when there are good actions to encourage goodness and motivation towards good.
I would like to point out two observations. Firstly, on my way to Petite Savanne, I passed under the cliff heading to Fond St. Jean if I am correct; at the time I passed no rocks were on the road. On returning from Petite Savanne under that same cliff a huge boulder was almost in the middle of the road; thus it rolled during the day while no vehicles were passing. Mr. Blackmore I believe this needs very urgent attention. Secondly, how comes no governmental administration ever addressed this? Do you know that life is very sacred? Aren’t the people from Bagatelle etc lives valuable?
My second observation highlights my visit to Capuchin. Why are the roads in such a deplorable state? Don’t the people of Cottage, Douglas Bay up to Capuchin pay taxes? How are their monies allocated? Is it predicted that the people in that area will blindly support this administration no matter how much their needs may be neglected why no focus is on them currently?
Lastly, I do hope it is in this administration’s plan to address these problems listed.
Thank you
Dawoud Abdur-rahman Darroux
Great observation – wanted to give you a thumbs-up, but accidentally went thumbs-down
i agree with u mr. darroux..the people in the southern part, bagatelle. stowe, dubique, petite savanne need attention..This Dubique cliff is so dangerous. For some reason the rocks always fall when there is no vehichles on the road. God is watching over us..
Please do something about this Dubique road!!!
One more thing i don’t know y some people give thumbs down for no good reason.. I did not see anything negative in what u wrote..
Anyway God Bless!!
I can’t wait to drive down to Portsmouth, upon completion of this project, the next time I’m home.
I am overseas,and from looking at this photo it appears that some serious work has been going on. After its completion we will certainly have better roads in my sweet D/ca. Thank you guys.
work looks good no lie.under the tarreau area was always a scarey drive…
correction’, one better road, diden’t you read the number of other bad roads reported by the other posters? it’s good therte is a start, but face the facts.from the the look of things, the chinese send us guys to practice on our island.
JUST NOW they’re paying attention to that?! The solution is so simple it’s not even funny. Do what they do in Colorado and other mountainous states in America and put up a wire fence mesh along the cliff side to prevent the rocks from falling down.
Problem solved.
read u doh see he say they seekin assistance for that
Did you read the article? Apparently not!
Dare u are? Colorado is country wii
True, this can be done, but why is this issue being addressed at this stage in the project, why is he NOW going to the ambassador for assistance? Shouldn’t this issue have been address at the planning stage?
Still, the project is a positive vibes, better than what we had before.
I LOVE YOU DOMINICA
Nothing positive to say, SHUT THE DOOR
There must be sea blast in colorado! That’s easy, just get rust-proof netting.
God bless DOMINICA We all love this beautiful island.
keep Dominica rolling. Will b home soon.