The Dominica government’s ten-year plan for rehabilitating the country’s major roads is ahead of schedule, according to Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore.
He described the just completed $100 million West Coast Road Rehabilitation project as one representing the government’s commitment “to taking our road network to the next level”.
The minister referred to a road audit “that speaks to 320 kilometres of main road, and we are giving you a time horizon within which we believe we can get our main roads in perfect condition of ten years”.
“By the end of this year we would have surpassed our expectation, and 64 per cent of our main roads and counting will be in perfect condition,” the minister said at Friday’s road completion ceremony.
Blackmoore said that last year within a couple of weeks the island experienced tremendous damage to its physical infrastructure.
“And we are looking for $120 million to reconstruct our roads and to put in place mitigating factors like river walls”.
He also made reference to a $20 million road rehabilitation project announced recently by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit that’s expected to focus on community roads and feeder roads.
The prime minister said at the time that $2 million of that amount would go into feeder road rehabilitation.
The figure has been criticized as being much to little to satisfy the farm access road repairs required around the country, but the prime minister says it is a good start and the government will be attempting to source additional funding for feeder roads.
Ray-Ray, what about your plan that you said that you had to reorganize the Public Works Department? Does the PWD have any part to play in that 10-year road rehabilitation plan? Does that plan deal with the feeder roads in our farming communities? Just asking for the record.
Thanks to the people of Dominica and the current administration. I am glad that the roads are in much better condition to travel in comparison to years ago. I know it takes money to maintain good roads, but I am confident that the Dominican community (both parties) will make every effort in maintaining it. From my observation from other countries; maintaining your roads is the key to protecting your investment. Some places have a 24 hours policy; to repair portholes in the community or service roads. Citizens are allowed to call in to report portholes to public works so they can begin working on it immediately to avoid much expensive repairs.
We all know that roads and bridges need regular maintenance to keep them from deteriorating. The increased weight and frequency of traffic on roads combined with adverse weather conditions means an increased rate of road and street deterioration. Regular road and bridge maintenance preserves roads investment and prevents costly major rehabilitation later on.
Some suggested maintenance activities to consider by the Institute of Transportation Studies:
1. Roadway surfaces: blading and shaping, patching, resurfacing; dust control.
2. Drainage: cleaning and repairing culverts and ditches.
3. Roadside: cutting bushes, trees, and grass; repair and prevention of roadside erosion.
4. Bridges: clearing channels; repair of rails, decks, and structure; cleaning and painting.
5. Traffic services: sign maintenance; cutting vegetation to maintain visibility.
6. Special projects: restoration or improvements; emergency work such as removing slides, repairing washouts, and repairing retaining walls.
End of this year? We will be lucky if de Pond Case – Marigot road is complete this year. I pass on that road everyday. Do u realize that bridges have to be built on that road to? It will finish just in time for election
It appears no matter what improvement is being
made to this country some people seems to be unsatisfied.We are our worst enemies.
Well done I say to this present Administration!
I pray for the success of Dominica.If Dominica
succeeds we all do.
ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY GOOD WORK PM.
good job Guys keep it up but i’am still waiting to see the wavin cock morne Daniel road completed Mr timothy /mr blackmore
Mr Blackmore and Ambrose am waitin on the roads in the south to be done…castle comfort, wall house, eggleston, giraudel, fortune, kings hill, morne bruce our roads hve craters not holes and like Marpin…i am watching and waiting! Maybe Mr Blackmore could repair our roads like he did gommier….
tickets tickets tickets
only one thing missing.. reconstructing the minds of those drivers. Alas papa. lets start suspending license and start issuing speeding tickets.
Don’t know where you live but you must have been asleep those 10 years ! The section from Canefield to Pont Casse is complete and according to the minister,so will be the stretch from Pont Casse to Melville Hall by this June. Not before time! The present tedious detour via Emerald Pool and Castle Bruce is a harrowing experience.
Just for your information I was born & bred in Roseau. Served on several boards in Dominica. Most of my early adult life as police officer and a dam good one too. Left on my own accord to further my education and open opportunities for my family and friends that too was achieved not really boasting but to set the records straight. Been living in one of the greatest country in the World after Dominica have to say that to shut the haters out! Visits Dominica sometimes twice a year spend thousands of my hard earned Dollars towards our economy that will never stop while in Dominica drive on our roads with no sweat contary to those who wants to think different I respect that to the point to know that one have to be fair no matter what one think of the present Government of the make up of the Government we have to give credit where credit is due its easy for me to do cause i am not into party politics nor do I care a dime who does what as long as it for the betterment of our people i could care less. I will call a spade a spade I am proud to be a Dominica where ever I go I represent Dominica I tell people how wonderful a country Dominica except for a few malcontent amongst they are all over I hasten to add. it What it is and we did not create our self nor did we have a say as to how Dominica was supposed to be there for my friend have I not said enough to indicate that I may be living outside of Dominica but certainly not out of touch by any means hope you get that. thank god for health and and a good life I am right at the party stand with my Lab top having fun drinking my fresh coconut water eating my broth and making life seems fun while tormenting people like you. It does not get better than that. Let me take in the cricket and if you`re at the Lovely Stadium meet me at that party stand. Loving that.
Keep up the good job MR Minister Blackmoore A.K.A Blacky as we used to call you at the Criminal Investigations Department where we work side by side. One thing I admire about you -your police experience served you good that should never be understated. You are one hard working minister and one Day you will be the Prime Minister of Dominica. You all heard it first on D.N.O.you should not feel threatened of any re shuffle for your position is untouchable. your support of the prime minister is undeniable just as we were trained to work as a team also you are a model of mixing things as a politician which have me thinking of running for the next Election. Let the country know you all deserves another ten years very good spin only a good Detective can do that. Hope i run into you During the Cricket match to fire a few. From your friend now in D/ca to enjoy the cricket.
Not to nitpick about the new road, but there are already holes in the newlly constructed road. The road appears to have just sunk in. THere is one right next to harris paints in canefield, the bridge by auto trade, one by the dcp warner road junction that can reallly jolt a driver. So when you say perfect, i beg to differ. I would say much improved. But is these little holes that grow into big ones in a few weeks time.
I say praise god for this milestone!! Although there much to be done, where I live on point baptist ridge in calibishie needs urgent repair, and I hope this will be taken into consideration seeing that
this area is a tourist favorite site. That’s where red rock, and the famous batist beach is situated,more over there are a lot of people living there and it is dangerous for this road to be in this deplorable condition. I hope the minister will read and consider my plea for help in this area.. I wish the governing body of this country gods richest blessings and may they adhere to heavens directions. Thanks u DNO for sharing…
What about the Roseau to Melville Hall road? I haven’t heard any mention of starting work on it and I’ve been hearing about this project for nearly 10 years now… Too many people are traumatized by the road when they visit for the first time and even many of us, locals, have difficulty using the road.
Where have you been? That road is currently being rehbilated hence the long winding ride to Roseau via the Kalinago Territory and Castle Bruce. I live in NY and I know that….c’mon people!! Don’t criticize just for criticizing sake!