The Canefield Cliff Section of the Roseau – Portsmouth Roadway is one of the most heavily trafficked road sections in Dominica. The 1.8 Km stretch of road has the distinctive position on the local network since it conveys traffic from the north, east and western parts of the island to and from the city.
Although the road network in Dominica has been improved tremendously in the past few years; and alternative routes have been a priority of this Government, the Canefield Cliff leg takes top precedence. The substantive reason being this road segment is the first and most practical part of the major ‘artery’ connecting the capital, Roseau to the town of Portsmouth as well as to the airports – Canefield and Melville Hall.
Given the current condition and the emerging high density and volume of traffic on this roadway during peak hours; (7:00 am-9:00 am and 3:30 pm-5:30 pm) queuing is becoming a major problem. Such situation has led to reduction in free flow speed, increased travelling time, significant delays and reduced drivers’ confidence resulting in a diminished overall Level of Service (LOS) to road-users.
In this case the proposed works shall rectify the likely poor service quality to be caused by a combination of adverse progression, high volumes and critical intersections at both approaches of the roadway.
Over the past few months we have witnessed the transformation of this road section which is being constructed in phases as the Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports and the Contractor, CR17-BG seek to construct the roadway with minimal disruption to the public. Approximately half of the road section has been completed on the western side along the exiting sea wall. This was implemented to divert traffic from the existed roadway and to permit the necessary improvement on that area.
In the coming days, culvert construction, road base work and surfacing will transpire along the eastern section of the roadway. After this is completed, traffic will be diverted to the eastern and central road section to allow work on the extreme western side where slipper drains and concrete slabs will be constructed and light fixtures will be installed. Road marking and road-reflector installation will be done in the final stages.
Upon completion of the construction of this roadway section, vast improvements are expected in areas of performance and aesthetics.
Horizontal Alignment
At this point the temporary bypass does not reflect the finished product in the area of horizontal alignment. Upon completion of the road section however the public shall notice smooth transitional curves constructed to designed travelling speed and super-elevation.
Vertical Alignment
Significant excavation has been performed in an attempt to correct the overall vertical alignment in the area. Person should notice by now that the two hilly parts have completely eliminated to convert section into a flat, even riding roadway.
Drainage
500mm x 500mm (20 inches by 20 inches) concrete box drains are being constructed on the eastern edge of the pavement. This is much larger than the existing drainage system as they provide greater capacity and better storm drainage control. This is a vast improvement from what previously existed. The combination of earth drains and slipper drains have proved inadequate in the past along this road section as their capacity and gradient were too low to optimize the flow of run-off particularly during torrential rain.
500mm (20 inches) slipper-type drains or V-drains will be constructed on the western edge between the road edge and the sidewalk. Since there are currently no drains on the western edge this new construction will further facilitate a more efficient drainage system.
The culvert capacity has also been increased in the said area. Many of the existing culverts were repaired and in many cases new culverts were installed with larger capacity 4’-0” diameter units and amplified load bearing strength by their thicker wall design. The culverts were carefully sized and spaced to allow for adequate discharge of run-off.
Sidewalks
Two (2) metre concrete raised sidewalks will be constructed on the western edge of the roadway. The sidewalks will provide a safe route for pedestrians, and are particularly incorporated to cater for running or jogging in the spirit of greater health and wellness.
Pavement
The asphalt concrete pavement will be 50mm (2 inches) thick and it is supported by a 200mm (8inches) stabilized soil cement compacted base. In turn the base is supported by a compacted tarrish base with varying depths not less than 500mm (20 inches). Compaction test results have exceeded 95 percent guaranteeing then sound structural integrity for increased safe load bearing capacity and settlement resistance.
The road will be constructed with a crown at the center to allow for free drainage of roadway and runoff along the crossfall. This feature will reduce water settlement on the flexible pavement and for safer travel during rainy conditions.
Level of Service
An overall level of service increase is expected along the Canefield Cliff Roadway upon completion of the project. Stable traffic flow with a high degree of freedom to select speed and operating conditions is expected.
Final Product
The completed product will not only add value to the road network but equally will connect the main population and commercial centres of the country by more efficient means and with greater aesthetic appeal. A beautification project is being conceptualized for the area in an effort to incorporate nature in new construction and reduce carbon footprint as we foster the sense preservation of natural features.
In a more practical sense, the roadway in this segment will allow for three-lane carriageway, one north-bound lane, one south-bound lane and a break-down (pull-over) lane. The break-down lane is expected to seriously enhance the free flow condition for traffic since in the event of an obstruction of either the north-bound or south-bound lanes, traffic could be easily diverted to this lane. Additionally, the pavement shall be provided with reflective road markings of centerline inclusive of reflectors and street lights for enhancing the night-time experience for passengers, motorists and pedestrians. These features will undoubtedly lead to greater road user comfort, confidence and convenience therefore making the journey more pleasurable, reliable, safe and efficient.
The Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Sherrit ought to be commended for his bold and visionary leadership in establishing diplomatic relations with the Peoples’ Republic of China. The people of Dominica as well as our friends and well-wishers can now better appreciate the very tangible benefits that are now being realized from such a relationship.
The Government and People of the Commonwealth of Dominica wish to express their profound gratitude to the Government and People of the Peoples’ Republic of China for their invaluable contribution to the development of Dominica.
All in all its to good see improvement in DOMINICA.
THEY COMPLAIN OF Chavez they complain this and that but they no better
Blackmore,
I hope you’re smart enough to have purchased solar lighting for the entire section and areas elsewhere where necessary…..somehow i doubt it…
Anytime there are major roadworks please factor in solar streetlights. Green and eco- friendly remember..less cost over time and no electrical ugliness
I am particularly pleased with the idea of informing the public of the planned changes to this roadway. I hope that we have local engineers be part of the inspection process to verify the engineering involved. I did not see any reference to speed limit, this needs to be considered.
Blackmoore is too troublesome. Why is he trying to take away the floodlight/limelight from Skerrit. We must fix him up, he seems to want to take Skerrit job as PM from him.
THANKS TO THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA, IF IT WAS NOT FOR THEM AND SKERRO WE WOULD BE BEGGING AMERICA STILL PRAISE GOD WE DONT HAVE GAS IF WE HAD U WOULD SEE HOW WOULD BE IN SHAMBLES LIKE AFRICA EVERY WHERE THOSE US ARE IS DEVASTATED
Thanks to the chinese for a job wel done
Kudos to you Mr Blackmore …but how about the Mahaut and Massacre area, are there any plans?
In that case, the more sensible solution would be to implement specific hours during which these vehicle can transverse the various sections of the road network.
We are a small country with a decreasing population
well, well,well.c how dumies duminics 4get about the highway from p/mouth to roseau and are settling 4 2inch colas.are the mahaut and massacre dow—tish still looking 4 highway?
Simeon, did you ever take English as a subject in school? good grief, use spellchecker and try to make yourself look less ill educated than you possibly are.
We also need a bicycle lane for the bikers.
As much as we need a bike lane, we don’t. The day one of those idiot tourists off a cruise boat gets killed by traffic is the tip of an ugly iceberg. There are several tour operators offering Mountainbiking, with all equipment, and safety gear, even trailers to take tourists to safer more picturesque areas to ride. But no, someone thought it was a good idea to let them cycle through Roseau, under the cliffs and elsewhere where they block traffic and do not see much of the beauty of the island. Stop the bike tours unless they are through local operators, next thing you know they’ll be telling us who can and cant visit scenic spots on our own island when they are there….
DID HE SAY 2 INCHES OF PAVEMENT?
He did! Can you imagine the condition of the surface after two years of this heavy vehicular tarffic? Drainage will have to be superb in this wet country of ours.
Thanks for constantly keeping us informed.
My concern is how we as motorists will behave once the project is completed. The road is not yet finished and already some drivers are speeding and overtaking (despite the warning signs).
Accidents will happen (even to the most carefull driver), but lets not tempt fate and think of others.
Thanks to the people republic of china for ur kindness in giving us this welcoming gift.To the prime minister and the rest of the team i say thanks.And Mr.Blackmore continue to keep us inform as the work progresses.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE BLACKMOORE WILL BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA,HE DOES BE MORE ON THE SPOTLIGHTS THEN PRIME MINISTER SKERIT.YOU GUYS WILL SEE MARK MY WORDS.
Dahman, are you admitting that Skeritt needs to step down and or is on his way out? But Blackmore as PM, Oh God help us
He deserves to be, a more mature man intellectually and a leader of the 21st century, not too long graduated from a university in canada when all the changes was taking place globally, so he knows what he is about and most of all a modern politician
DOMINICA IS BACKWARD THE ONLY COUNTRY DOESNT HAVE TRAFFIC LIGHTS,ROSEAU ATLIST SHOULD HAVE ONE OR TWO TRAFFIC LIGHT.
so because dominica does not have stop lights it is backward? If thats your sense of reasoning,you need to make a reality check in your level of thinking,and the result is you have a BACKWARD MENTALLITY.
I must say that is a ridiculous statement sir. Traffic lights don’t make a country backward. If there is no need for traffic lights, why have them. You don’t just install things just to have them. Probably Dominicans are MORE disciplined and courteous drivers. That in itself is advancement, no need of a MACHINE to tell us how to behave.
Are were not talking about the Canefield cliff? Please tell us where exactly on that section of the road network that you would have erected the said lights.
It goes to say that you have not travelled to many places. To eliminate cost and congestion, many countries and islands have gone the way of introducing roundabouts where possible.
It is much better being thought of as being a fool than to open up your month in all ignorance, thereby proving to others that you are indeed foolish.
Why traffic lights? The worst traffic mess I have seen is when the Police try to control it. Lights would be worst. Let the drivers sort it….ain’t broke, doh fix it.
Only 2 inches of pavement? With those extremely overloaded trucks on Dominica, that will never last. It needed to have been 4 inches at the least.
Yeah, the pavement for the side walk is indeed much too thin.
when i see comments like what should be done,or how much inches of asphalt should be laid down,it is all good or patriot,but i do not see comments in reference to how much it is going to cost to laid down x amount of asphalt,there it is these people are helping a build a roadway which never existed at that level,yet still you all are complaining,everything cost money you all people hold it down notch man ah ah.
Mr Blackmoore an artist impression of the finished product would be helpful for pr purposes. btw if there is going to be a raised sidewalk on the western side , why did they pave it with asphalt? concrete doesn’t bind on asphalt.
A sincere thank you to China.
I would rather think that the section through Mahaut is the biggest problem.
As a driver from Portsmouth, Mahaut is THE biggest headache. Most drivers are wondering what can be done there. Canefield cliff is just an annoyance … Mahaut is a real problem.
Is there any consideration at this point for implementing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)lane? Though the distance is not typical for implementation as per metropolitan centers in USA, I am of the belief that the above can reduce traffic volume if implemented properly, improve LOS, reduce bottle-neck and roadway life cycle. For instance, vehicles like buses with for example (5) passengers and up, cars and vans with (3) passengers and up and heavy equipment will be considered to use the HOV lane which can reduce the volume of vehicle traversing this area. Now, citizens will need to be educated on the rules to allow for smooth implementation. I am convince Dominicans can organize to car-pool daily to make this a reality. Finally, the Engineers/Planning Division needs to work out the issues like lane entry/exit points and yield sign/right of way signs etc to avoid bottle-neck and those points mentioned.
Ok, that was just to show u know a little something, right? HOV, man???? lol.
I also agree that 2 inches is alittle thin considering the volume of traffic, the type of traffic and the location. 2 inches would probably be better suited for more inland roads. The project looks so good why have to think of patching so soon.
But wait , Mike that write that man
Keep waiting
Dominicans should be very grateful to the People’s Republic Of China for their kind generosity to the economic development of the country. However as a son of the great soil living overseas, I sometime wonder why are the Chinese being so generous knowing that, Dominica has nothing to offer in the form of raw materials which the Chinese have a humonguos appetite for.
I respectfully disagree with the last part of your statement. We do have alot of raw materials. Fresh clean water being the next oil, soil that will grow anything and will as feed people and animals. Alot of the things we grow and have the potential to grow are used to make most of what the world consumes. For example, there is a component in the oil from bayleaf that is used in the foundation of every perfume. Cocoa, which we don’t produce alot off, which I think we should instead of bananas, can fetch a high dollar. Its uses are numerous.
Dominica is only piece to a chinese puzzle. Thats why they have also formed realtions with other island around us, but this is just my opinion.
Point of correction. When I mentioned about raw materials I should have been more specific in my comments to include oil, iron ore and coal which unfortunately Dominica is not blessed with. I am in agreement with you itemizing the natural products that Dominica has and these items should not be taken for granted. Dominica is truly blessed.
Another progress report on this section of a vital roadway. Great stuff, lots of technical information.
This appears to be a press release provided by the contractors or their representatives. If this is the case, it would be appropriate for DNO to indicate that. As it stands DNO must take responsibility for the awkward language and a news story that reads very much like a translation from a foreign language. Just saying…right!
ADMIN: If you were paying attention you would notice the story was attributed to Rayburn Blackmoore, Minister for Public Works, Energy and Port. SMH
I think that your project is really necessary.
What about Dutch Lady?
Hey – proud of you lady … hope you have land for those cows to graze … do it … me going to need milk … some meat also … hope they can breed? Go for it!
Wishing you every success in your venture.
I dont have to tell you that Dominica is a very beautiful place, with lots of potential.
ok..change of topic..
What is the latest of nicolia the child from layou who went missing??? is it that we give up because the damn burst so there is no way he can be found? so so strange uh? not a picture from the family..u mean no pic at all..that is so fishy. porr child..on the other hand i am hoping that when the child will be 20 he shows up and DNO has headline news child missing found after 20years, meaning that someone took the child away and people who knoew stayed tight lipped.
that should keep the armchair critics quiet!
Now this is a Minister that keeps the people informed..hats off to Mr.Blackmoore
Though i am not a supporter of this regime, this minister deserve qudos for his constant progress report to the people of Dominica for projects under his ministry, he should advise his comrades to do the same, that will reduce the doubts in the populace mind about under hand deals on major government projects, hats off to you sir
2 inches of asphalt is kinda thin still, for the weather we having especially the road being so close to the sea and under a cliff with falling rocks..maybe or 4 inches?
Well that is the only error Mr Blackmoore is making in that they are going to used two inches of asphalt. They should used four to six inches of asphalt due to the heavy commercial traffic. I was in Dominica in 2010 and I am impressed by the road improvements that is going on. Keep it up.
safe driving my people.
i’m sure Skerro will fire you soon. You gunning for the man job.
Keep your head up sir. You sure have my vote!
Skerro is the brain behind Dominica’s progress!
Good stuff Mr Blackmore.