Signage |
The Banse/La Haut road has been in a deplorable state for some time now and the residents through expression share their happiness at finally seeing works being done. A good road reduces travel time between communities, as well as expenses on vehicles for the owners.
CIE Ltd Team Leader(center)receiving contract |
This
project was officially opened at a ceremony last year December and after a
short delay work has recommenced and one
driving through the communities will notice gangs of workers busily at work. The Ministry is undertaking this project
via the Design Finance Build approach, to improve THE BANSE LA HAUT ROAD & LABORIE VILLAGE MAIN
ROAD which is key in the
socioeconomic development of the wider Laborie community. The resurfacing and reconstruction exercise will significantly
reduce vehicle operating cost and bring greater comfort to motorists and
commuters. Improvement to safety is paramount and the completion of the project
will lead to greater efficiency in the transportation of goods and people and
the provision of services in this part of the island.
Through a process of competitive bidding, Rayneau
Gajadhar’s CIE Ltd, emerged the successful bidder. Rayneau will finance the
project to completion. The
repayment terms are 5.00% annual interest rate with a payment period of 5 years
(repayments are to be made by Government of Saint Lucia to the contractor every
quarter starting 3 months after completion of works.
The project is 10Km long and CIE Ltd is expected to
implement the following:
1. Drainage structures
2. Slope Stabilization
3. Bus stops, laybys and bus shelters
4. Road markings, signage and road safety furniture
5. Slope Stabilization
As of April 13, 2015, works on Banse road appears to
be concentrated on drainage (box, kerb and slipper and swale), pedestrian
sidewalks, laybys and in some instances grading of the road surface. Batches of
workers are located at different points along the road digging, building and
plastering these drains and sidewalks. Many kilometres of drains works have
been completed. Further in many kilometres of roads have been graded and
sub-base applied.
On the La Haut side major cutting and grading works, road
widening, building of retaining walls, rolling and construction of drains are
going on simultaneously.
When asked about the status of the work thus far,
Venai, CIE Ltd works supervisor answered, “We’re doing well. We are ahead” What
has contributed to the works being ahead of schedule?” I threw at him. “Good
management” he boasts. “We put workers all along the road at different
locations so everybody is doing something. In this way the work speeds up.” The
chief engineer also confirmed that works is on schedule.
Massive retaining wall at La Haut side |
The Banse/La Haut and Laborie Village Main Road will be constructed to adopted traffic speed of 32 Kph.
Check Video for more pics.
Check Video for more pics.
Works progress on Banse/La Haut Road project