Months after the sudden collapse of the Melvin’s Hill Bridge severed a key road link in St Joseph, residents said the slow pace of reconstruction has upended daily life and deepened frustration over broken promises of swift repairs.
Barbados TODAY visited the area recently and spoke with residents, who described daily hardships, longer commutes and ongoing frustration as work continues under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project.
The bridge, a key artery in the eastern parish, collapsed last August, forcing its immediate closure and triggering government assurances that a new, wider structure would be completed within 12 months.
New St Joseph MP Ryan Brathwaite confirmed that demolition of the old structure has begun but said there remains no clear timeline for completion.
“I know that they’ve demolished the old bridge and started to cart away the material,” he said. “They now have to go down to the level of the water path and start the substructure for the new road.”
However, he acknowledged that residents have not been given a firm schedule.
“There’s no timeline given by the subcontractor,” Brathwaite said, noting that the work falls under Chinese contractor COMPLANT as part of the wider $230m Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project.
He added that while progress in other areas such as Airy Hill appears more advanced, Melvin’s Hill has not moved as quickly as expected.
“I expected it to be a little more advanced,” he said.
Still, Brathwaite maintained that overall progress across the constituency remains visible.
“At least we’re seeing work happening,” he said. “But it can’t ever happen fast enough, because people still have to travel these routes every day and spend more on transportation.”
But villagers said the pace of work has not matched expectations.
Lolita Watson-Brathwaite of Spa Hill said the delays have taken a toll on daily life, particularly for pedestrians.
“It’s taking too long, and it’s too hard [to endure],” she said. “How can you build an overpass for people to walk on, and half is finished? What’s the matter with the other half?”
She pointed to the difficulty faced by residents navigating the area, especially those with physical challenges.
“There’s people out here with disabilities. When you walk from all the way down south to come up here and you can’t pass, what are you going to hold on to? You coming down with your groceries, what are you going to do?” she said.
Watson-Brathwaite added that accessing public transport has become increasingly burdensome.
“I got to walk down there (Parks Road) to get a bus or walk up there (Todd’s Corner) to get a bus. It’s not fair. It’s not fair,” she said, expressing hope that the project could be completed before year-end. “It’s too tiresome and too hectic.”
Other residents, while acknowledging the disruption, urged patience given the complexity of the works.
O’Neal Deane, who has lived in the area for nearly two decades, said the bridge’s age and structural issues meant repairs could not be rushed.
“That bridge is a very old bridge. It’s not something you could just rush into because of preparation,” he said. “It takes time.”
Deane said the wider Scotland District has long suffered from neglect, contributing to the current situation.
“Every Scotland District area is an area that’s been neglected for years,” he said. “But something had to happen for them to pay attention.”
He also pointed to longstanding structural weaknesses, including the impact of heavy vehicles on infrastructure not designed to support them.
“That bridge was never built for that kind of weight. It was only supposed to be two tonnes, and the big trucks using it were more than that. So the bridge got weak,” he explained.
Despite the inconvenience, Deane said proper execution remained more important than speed.
“It can be done, it’s just a matter of time. It’s the only way to get in and get out, so you want it done properly,” he said.
At the bottom of Melvin’s Hill, Avril Smith described the daily commute as exhausting and, at times, unsafe.
“We have to walk up the road for a bus,” she said. “It’s about 20 minutes to get to Todd’s Corner, and then we got to walk back down here at night.”
She said the lack of lighting and traffic conditions create additional concern.
While acknowledging that the bridge had deteriorated over many years, she questioned the pace of the current response.
“It’s been like that for years… from since I was a little girl,” she said. “But it’s taking too long.”
Smith added: “I would like it done already, but things starting and stopping. Some days they (workmen) come, some days they don’t.”
While progress varies across locations, visible work is now taking place in several areas, Brathwaite insisted.
He said: “Overall I would say that I am happy, because we’re seeing work happening, at least we’re seeing work happening in my constituency.”
St Joseph roadworks – What to Know
MP Ryan Brathwaite provided an update on several infrastructure projects across the constituency under the Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project:
Melvin’s Hill
Demolition of the old bridge has begun, with material being removed. Works must proceed to excavation at the watercourse level before construction of the substructure for the new road. No timeline has been provided by the subcontractor.
Airy Hill
Works significantly more advanced than at Melvin’s Hill. Contractors have begun installing the road base. Residents have raised concerns that the new road appears narrow. Engineers have indicated adjustments may be made by removing sections of kerb or walkway to widen the carriageway. The project is expected to progress further within weeks.
Horse Hill
Sections of the road remain incomplete and require further work. The area forms part of the active road network being addressed, but not all works have been finished.
Branchbury
Experiencing road degradation following heavy rainfall. The area requires stabilisation work, with no indication yet that repairs have begun.
Cattlewash
Roadworks are progressing steadily but the improved stretch may require traffic-calming measures due to the risk of speeding along the corridor.
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