The Banse/La Haut and Laborie Village Main Road Project on Schedule says CIE Ltd Works Supervisor

Signage

The residents of Banse and La Haut as well as the motorists are already singing praises as they witness works, full speed ahead on the new road project. A commuter who disembarked a bus at the Banse La Grace junction remarked, “The mister, we are very happy to see the road being fixed. And you know one thing, the buses taking us right to our homes now ee. We are happy that Mr Rayneu giving the young people work. We are happy now.” Other residents all echoed the same sentiment.

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

Men setting up a drain

Present status of works

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

A drive through the Morne Le Blanc community, revealed potholing works in progress. Mr Venai informed me that this potholing is being done by CIE Ltd, gratis at no extra cost to the government. Mr Venai said that Mr Gajadhar felt that it would be a good thing to give the people and motorists a bonus. Also, when paving of the Banse  road begins, the motoring public will have no choice but to access the Morne Le Blanc road.

The Banse/La Haut and Laborie Village Main Road will be constructed to adopted  traffic speed of 32 Kph.

Check Video for more pics.

                                   

Works progress on Banse/La Haut Road project