Two of Barbados’ most used roadways are in for major repairs this year.
Highway 1 from the bottom of University Hill to the Methodist Church in Holetown, St James, and a section of Highway 7 in Christ Church, will finally be repaved.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the announcement earlier today during the question and answer section after addressing the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon at Hilton Barbados.
No start dates were given.
Mottley said most of the work on Highway 1 would be done at night because they were mindful of the fact that there are no access roads between UWI hill and Holders Hill.
She said the water mains would be laid at the same time, so there would be no paving and digging up later.
The Prime Minister said work would end at the Methodist Church because major construction was set to be done on the Royalton Hotel, so it made no sense extending the work to Trents.
Restrictions will also be placed on heavy-duty vehicles at that time. They will use the Greenwich Village road which connects Trents to the Ronald Mapp Highway.
Meanwhile, those who live and work on Highway 7 can expect roadworks “soon”.
Mottley said that a section of that road, which runs from Bay Street to the Airport, was earmarked for repairs. She was not sure if it was the stretch from Garrison to Rendezvous or from Rendezvous to Maxwell, as she was awaiting final word from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance.
The Prime Minster was at the time responding to a question from a member of the audience who asked if communities or companies could adopt roads and be responsible for their maintenance, thereby eliminating the pothole problem.
Mottley acknowledged the roads were in terrible shape and nothing bad been done to them for ten or 12 years. (SAT)