Construction crews have begun work on a temporary bypass road along the Pont Case road.
Public Works Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, during an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS) on Tuesday said this project became necessary following the collapse of a section of that road last Friday.
“As we indicated last week when this incident took place, we were going to embark on some form of intervention before we proceed to a more permanent structure on the Pont Casse area,” he said.
“What we are trying to do right now, is to provide a temporary access for both vehicular traffic and pedestrians alike,” confirmed Minister Blackmoore.
He said work on the temporary bypass road has already started and the intention is to have the temporary crossing ready for use within ten days.
This quick response by the Ministry of Public Works, according to Minister Blackmoore, is in keeping with Government’s plan to respond to the safety needs and of the people.
“As a Government we have taken into consideration the plight of the people, and as such we have to ensure that we put systems in place to address the needs of the people,” Blackmoore stated.
The temporary bypass project when complete will remove the inconvenience now faced by road users and will improve safety and journey time on the Pond case road.
Minister Blackmoore says as a long-term measure, the Public works Ministry will construct a box culvert in the affected area, to prevent a re-occurrence of last Friday’s incident.
He said the designs and quantities for the box culvert project are almost complete.
Meanwhile Minister Blackmoore told GIS news that the Ministry will also proceed to undertake a full study of the entire Pont Casse road to determine its structural integrity.
“As we traverse from the round about to the area where the incident took place, within that alignment, we have about fourteen areas where culverts had been installed. Within the next couple days and weeks, my Ministry will undertake a thorough investigation to determine the integrity of those structures,” he stated.
The Minister said the Ministry, as it has done in the past, will seek to take all the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents to what took place in Pont Casse last week.
Minister Blackmoore expressed confidence in the ability of construction crews and contractors who have undertaken road projects across the country.
“If one were to drive to Lot Two of the airport road project and other recent road projects, one will get an appreciation for the kind of methodology the Ministry has been using to ensure that we construct proper drains and culverts,” he guaranteed.
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We Can’t eat concrete but now we need concrete
The Minister and his crew are doing all they can to construct this bypass. Obviously, it will take a week or two and who knows probably a little longer (?). It is not easy building a road under the circumstances. I visualize it is a difficult job and to ensure that it is properly done to accommodate both traffic and pedestrians. Good luck Minister and crew. Thanks and appreciation are befitting. I am certain when completed, those who will be utilizing it, will be pleased.
Wicked! wicked! wicked! people.
what about the Delices road??? Government will do something to fix it? more than 5 years and nothing has been done¨¨¨
yes my brother!
I wonder why Mr. Blackmoore won’t name the construction crews or contractors chosen to do the works. Is it the same guys who did the job at Antrim?
Technically he appears to be brushing off or discrediting PWC by not mentioning them at all.
And who was the contractor doing road surface pothole patching in the same area just a couple months ago.
Was it the PWC?
A large Box Culvert or a Box Bridge similar to the new one at Pond Case will do the job.
Fantastic! However, What is Mr Blackmoore going to do about the road between Warner and Jimmit by the Layou Inn? This looks like it will fall very soon. The Lorries are ruining the road between the Hillsborough bridge and Ponte Casse the Glo Sho bridge is being undermined by the weight of the lorries and could collapse! Also the road between Ponte Casse and Canefield is hugely suspect at Antrim. So how is Mr Blackmoore going to deal with this?? A puzzle indeed.
First things first and important ones first. Why do you not write him?
LALAY COCO SAGA: Mr. Minister please as a matter of urgency evaluate the MESS that was done on LALAY-COCO road.Can you image a drain(not properly constructed by Sherlock) was designed to carry water and because of his lack of proper engineering skills this drain cannot transport the water. His remedial action was to bore small holes in the bottom of the wall so that the water will escape at the back of the wall.Mr Blackmoore is this sound engineering solutions? There is no where I have travelled to see a drain constructed with different slopes like that( it begins flat and then gets extremely steep). For an area with a high volume of traffic I often wonder the purpose for such a tall or for a wall as a matter of fact. Before one could escape if he gets off the road but now this wall will welcome him. Finally Mr.Minister get your Engineers back to the drawing board.
Okay so my family members told me about a “track”that people pass to catch an awaiting bus on the other side. This was of some what relief to me seeing that I’m travelling to the Island for the weekend and was looking forward to going to town.
Now by the looks of this picture i’m no longer interested. This looks dangerous.i’ve broken a leg before and sure dont wanna repeat. In the event that you slide on some wet grass/shrub DOWN YOU GO!
But I must commend you guys for trying.
You can pray as you go and ask God to protect you.
whats going on??? Skerrit say a bridge is needed, now Blackmoore talking `bout culverts..
Give them a break. They are trying to build a bypass. Building a road takes money. I am certain that it will be done sometime.
Good initiative and for keeping the public informed Mr. Minister
Good initiative and for keeping the public informed Mr. minister!
In the mornings only God knows how them workers/schoolchildren and other people crossing that. I pray all will be close to normal in the next 10 days. Cause thats the main route to the city.
No one saw that coming!
How long is temporary ? . I know the pernamentroad will be done before election and this will be along time so TEMPORARY is SHORT just for a While and election is ALONG WAY.
hmmm ill let a few hundred vehicles cross that one first wi…
A stitch in time saves nine!
“As a Government we have taken into consideration the plight of the people, and as such we have to ensure that we put systems in place to address the needs of the people,”
Mr. Blackmore please do not try to make this appear as a ‘favour’ to the people of the East and South East. These are tax payers and lots of people moving daily and positively impacting the economy of Dominica. It would be in the best interest of the Gov’t of Dominica to repair the roads and stop bragging when they do routine things. You sound like those fathers who say they babysit their own children.
True! true! It’s a responsibility not a favour!
Oh Boy, I suppose he was just re-emphasizing the role of the government to the people. I don’t think he meant it as you’ve painted it.
He meant it just as “oh Boy…” painted it. That is their job and not a favor to people. So mr minister, do your job and do it correctly. You have heard the plight of the people my foot…chuups man!!
Some of you twist and turn every saying. You are beyond comprehending. He is rightfully informing the people of the government’s plan and what is being done. If he said nothing, it would be another story of negativity. For once, can you not be pleased?
I hope is the chinese that building it
“If one were to drive to Lot Two of the airport road project ….” Is the minister insinuating that Dominicans should drive that segment to see for themselves what is being done!!! But the road has been officially closed to vehicular traffic to reduce risk, based on the magnitude of road construction currently being undertaken. Irresponsible statement. Best he had just limited it to the “other recent road projects…….
This segment is used everyday sir. Still under heavy works, but yet the best choice.
One thing I can truely say you guys are doing a fantatic job on phase two airport road but the project is moving slow.
You are like a person watching a pot boil. Put your head under it, it will move faster.
You sound stupid learn to post something constructive.
Pond Case
I believe it is Pont Casse
I knew it as Pond Casse. Pond is for “pond”. Do not know if this is correct for “Pond” Casse in French/patois.
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Pont Cassé – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Cassé
Pont Cassé is the capital of the Saint Paul Parish in Dominica. It is located almost in the middle of Dominica, northeast of the national capital, Roseau, and close …
so you mean to tell me that our public works department still didnt qualify to do that job? i really wonder why..and just imagine who was the one who got the project>>>George Nanthan,can you all imagine that?
The same Guy that Government Paid thousands of dollars to do the collapse in Picard, and after two days it collapsed again… Politics is a game.
let me see if DNO will Post this one.
Hey, maybe George is a better Engineer and contractor. Don’t blame the government because Public Works has structural problems like adding more administration staff than Engineering/Technical staff. Can anyone explain how they would man the projects they are claiming to being given to other contractors. In fact I was told that they are adding a new PR person to their high wage bill to assist with the company’s image. Well, if that is true they have made it clear that PWC problem is PR related, and that is probable why they cannot get the jobs they claim to not receive from government.
How on God’s earth can this corporation survive when the percentage of admin is so great. PWC needs more technical staff and more skilled labourers who can mutitask. Is somebody blind down there!
While we appreciate the urgent need to bring relief to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, there is even a more urgent need to conduct geological surveys to verify the current stability of the area. This is particularly relevant in light of the upcoming hurricane season associated with increase torrential rainfall. The area maybe saturated and current infrastrutural and remedial work may be compromised. Thus are we really putting the safety needs of the people first?
Minister Blackmore you only emphasis on the Pond Casse Road…i think you need to take a good look at the East roads..they are in a terrible state..especially the new foundland area and not excluding the Antrim area too…Pay attention to these critical areas too, before any future recurrences of incident like whathappened last week..
Thank you, DNO. Thank you Hon. Blackmore.
Peeping Tom, we need to see a better looking face.
Mr. Blackmoore need to investigate the methodology used in lalay coco. How can a contractor build a drain along the main road and there is so much water ponding along that section. Guess what they did to solve the problem? They bored holes in the base of the wall so that the water now will pass at the back of the wall to undermine it. WHAT KIND OF ENGINEERING IS THIS? Secondly how can the minister now say that they are now going to inspect culverts? We need to be more proactive in this place! Road maintenance is an ongoing process and therefore the ministry need to have a team of technical guys inspectioning ALL crossings(bridges,culverts etc) in the country and prepared monthly reports plus estimates for periodic maintenance. Mr. Minister when was the last audit on all crossings in this country and their conditions? Shame on your approach!!!!! Ministry needs more effective planning & management and yes if those measures were in place such an accident could have been avoided because we would have known of the condition long before hand.There are so many bridges in this country in a very deplorable state. Mr. Minister your ministry need to do much better than that!!!!! FINALLY SIR I NEED YOU TO EVALUATE THE SOLUTION TO THE WORK THAT WAS DONE IN LALA-COCO!BORING HOLES(1/2″ DIAMETER)AND TRYING TO HIDE THE FAULT IS NOT THE SOLUTION!!YOUR CTO PASSES THERE EVERY DAY DOES’NT HE HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? IF THIS WAS DONE BY PWC THEIR WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH WATER TO WASH THEM.SHAME,SHAME SHAME!!!!!
All of that has to be done, motorist dont want to pay licenses, people complaining of taxes…but it has to be done.
By the mercy and grace of the good lord it will be done.
MR IPO God helps those who help themselves!!!
I mean genuinely and not “under the table.”
Mr. obsever- your point is so right and I hope that they ivestigate your concern!!!
This better be safe, because my family members will be traveling this route to and from town….but I am still happy that the Ministry of Public Works is trying its best to assist the people of Dominica especially the people on the South East. Once again my condolences to the families of the young men from La Plaine and my heart, mind and body is with you Joslen Prince aka Pappi at the Princess Margarette Hospital. Love you babes. Speedy recovery my darling.
Sir/Madame, I understand your concern and I will advise the following:
1) Ask the MPW Engineers to provide data on an analysis as to what is the maximum loads this temporary structure can withstand?
2) Ask whether the MPW used the worse case senario of loading conditions i.e the maximum load from a trailer hauling a 40ft container with load or the mobile equipment on island that has the most load bearing effect on such a structure prior to aloowing vehicles to pass through. Note: keep in mind that a tarrish pit is in the nearby area and if the material gets wet it adds weight to the material and these things need to be considered during the design of the temporary structure among other things.
3) Finally, is there a plan to check the consolidation of support system given the area is probable water-logged. I ask these questions to seek safe guards, because while I understand the urgency our populace is better served when we take our time to do these things correctly. The contractor constructing this structure needs to be supervised by a trained Civil Engineer.
Driving @ any time is a risk,so doing that is a double risk! Pls Lord Jesus cover us under your Blood
Pray always, unceasingly.
this is not an easy fix.
hmmmm..lastnight on the news it was in 2-3 days. now is 10? we’ll still wait n c. is nt like we have a choice
Its not an easy fix young fella
How the heck do you expect this to be fixed in 2-3 days ten days is even rushing things taking into consideration the capabilities Dominica has “easy up people on the Government”..God bless everyone Making the effort to rebuild and fix things after the storms…Guidance and Blessings on Dominica
I hope is the Chines they get to build the road because Public works is asphalt on dirt they putting instead of tar and asphalt.
Sure we will give it to the Chinese and they will pay taxes to put the maintenance of your roads on the back burner. Wow!!! Can you imagine that our people think the Chinese would be better suited to do the work.
Sure, because our people will use up all the funds, take for instance longer working lunch break and leave the work incomplete. Give Jack his jacket, you for sure know our people. The Chinese even work on their lunch break. What is wrong with you Dominicans? Who built America? Immigrants. Give the Chinese a break.
And if the govt did that…you all will be the same complainign that Chinese gettign all the work, govt giving Chinese the work over Dominicans etc…
Dominicans really are a special set of people