Ladies and Gentlemen: I am pleased to be here this morning for the official opening of the London Creek Bridge.

There are a number of natural creek ecosystems in Andros which have become blocked due to the construction of roads across them.

Such blockages cause severe damage to the natural aquatic ecosystem including: - increased sedimentation in the creeks; - modification of the mangroves; and a - decrease to the fish larvae export of the lagoon. The creeks in Andros that have had the most severe impact include: London Creek and Staniard Creek.

Because the existing infrastructure is negatively affecting the health of the creeks, works have become necessary. This includes Staniard Creek, where work is currently being undertaken.

The London Creek project is important for the surrounding area as it will help to regenerate the natural flora and fauna of the creek system.

This will provide a catalyst for ecotourism in Andros by providing residents and visitors with the opportunity to have an upclose experience of the beauty of the natural creeks ecosystems in Andros.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The London Creek project includes the provision of a series of reinforced concrete box type culverts at the site.

The culverts will improve the water flow in the area, allowing for the natural flushing of the creek.

In time, this will allow the natural regeneration of the ecosystem in the area. Following a competitive tender exercise, a contract was signed in June 2019, with SJK Engineering & Construction, for the construction of the culverts.

The contract was in the amount of Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Six

Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Dollars and Fifty-One Cents.

During the mobilization stage of the contract, the original design was amended from standard precast box culverts to in-situ or built in place reinforced concrete box type culverts.

This has the added benefit of greatly increasing the water flow and allowing small craft to pass under the road.

These changes were undertaken within the total approved funding for the project.

The construction works may be summarized as follows:

Construction of a two hundred foot long by thirty-six- foot wide reinforced concrete culvert system made up of twelve 16-foot wide individual openings.

The internal height of the culverts varies, with a maximum height of twelve 12-feet at mid-span of 11-feet.

To allow access for small boats and kayaks, the central section of the culverts have a headroom of seven to eight feet at high water level.

There was the cconstruction of a fifty foot approach slab at both ends of the structure as well as road improvements in the vicinity of the structure.

There is now also a vehicle guardrail on the approaches to the structure and line markings and signs.

The project was successfully completed within budget in December 2020, when the bridge was finally opened to traffic.

I wish to note that there are other infrastructure improvements slated for Andros.

Let me close by thanking all of those involved in this project, including staff from the Ministry of Works and local government officials.

It is with great pleasure that I declare the London Creek Bridge, officially open.

May God bless all of those who use this bridge, and may God bless all of you and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Thank you and good morning.