Some road construction projects across Barbados are continuing to make progress, as seen by the Weekend Nation team which visited several sites to provide an update on the latest developments.
There was, however, a report of setbacks in local business activity due to ongoing disruptions at the Wildey Triangle, St Michael, one of the island’s main commercial hubs.
Supervisor Tony Cozier, at the Rubis gas station, reported a noticeable decline in business.
“Business has slowed down recently because the road has been closed at 8:30 p.m.,” he explained.
“That’s still peak hours for us, especially given our location. Naturally, the reduced traffic flow impacts our sales and also makes it harder for our staff to leave on time. We’ve also recently reopened our deli, and that’s been affected too.”
Cozier highlighted concerns about air quality due to the construction activities, noting that dust levels had become problematic.
“The dust tends to rise because of the heat and wind when traffic passes through, which is a concern, especially for staff members with asthma. We try to monitor the situation, but it’s difficult when water trucks aren’t passing through often enough. Sometimes they come every hour and a half, sometimes even less frequently, and that’s not enough to keep the dust down,” he added.
An employee at Carter’s General Store in Wildey, who wanted to remain anonymous, echoed the sentiments, stating that while the roadworks themselves hadn’t significantly dampened business, the congestion had made entry and exit more challenging.
Meanwhile, across the island, several other road projects are underway, as outlined by the Ministry of Transport & Works (MTW). Since January, C. O. Williams Construction has been working on Highway D from Content to Dukes in St Thomas, with an expected completion timeline of six months.
Reece Road in St Thomas, which involves drainage construction, was previously reported as 98 per cent complete, though some work remains to be finalised. Additionally, paving efforts on Prior Park Road are ongoing, with the project not yet finished.
These infrastructure enhancements are vital for improving transportation and safety across Barbados. However, they continue to pose temporary inconveniences for residents and businesses.
Authorities said the disruptions were necessary for long-term benefits and efforts are ongoing to minimise the impact on daily life.
MTW advised residents and visitors to stay informed about traffic diversions and construction updates to plan accordingly.
