The Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) is planning road repairs in several parts of St Joseph after officials toured the area on Wednesday.
The tour, led by St Joseph MP Ryan Brathwaite and Minister of Transport and Works Kirk Humphrey, looked at roads and other infrastructure that need urgent repairs.
Humphrey said MTW has already received the designs for Spa Hill and has told crews to start work, but utility poles need to be moved first.
He said physical work at Spa Hill is expected to begin in November.
The announcement comes as residents across the Scotland District continue to deal with deteriorating roads and other problems caused by failing infrastructure.
The Melvin’s Hill Bridge, a key link through St Joseph, collapsed last August, forcing residents to take longer journeys. The ongoing reconstruction has been frustrating for them.
Humphrey acknowledged that fixing roads in St Joseph is difficult because of the area’s geography.
“St Joseph falls within the Scotland District and that is characterised by weak soils and underground water which makes road works not as simple as other places may be,” he said.
But the minister also announced that several projects are now moving ahead.
“We also just gave the instruction for Braggs Hill to start as well,” he said. “And I know that’s going to make a big difference to the residents.”
He also said patching work in Chimborazo is planned and should be completed next week.
Brathwaite said the tour was intended to show the ministry some of the problems residents are experiencing.
“There’s some issues that require immediate intervention, and I’m happy that I was able, along with the Minister of Transport and Works, Mr Humphrey, to see these issues so that we could actually bring some tangible timelines and solutions…” the MP said.
Humphrey said the ministry intends to return to St Joseph to identify additional roads for rehabilitation after the first three projects are completed.
“I want to give the residents in the area [the message] that St Joseph has not been forgotten.” (LE)
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