A roundabout is being added in front of Queen’s Collegeand the Bahamas National Trust to improve the safety of motorists andpedestrians who traverse Village Road, a major New Providence thoroughfare.The Ministry of Works and Utilities announced plans for the addition during awalkabout Friday, August 26, 2022.

“There are some additional works which are being scoped related to installing aroundabout in the front of Queen’s College and the Bahamas National Trust,” saidMinister of Works and Utilities the Hon. Alfred Sears.

“We will be meeting with both of those stakeholders to discuss further what isintended in order to make this roadway more efficient and also improve thequality of life not only of the residents in this community but also the guests whocome as students, teachers to Queen’s College and also guests and patrons to theNational Trust and the other commercial establishments on Village Road.

The $6.4 million project which started in January of this year is expected to becompleted in November. The project includes the installation of pipes and 8-inchwater main for the entire length of Village Road, improvements to severaljunctions, lane widening, adding turning lanes, video camera traffic systems,underground work, repaving, new signage and striping.

Minister Sears led a team of engineers, representatives of Knowles Construction,the Bahamas National Trust and media on a tour of the project from Queen’sCollege to the entrance of St. Andrew’s Drive. Bacchus Rolle, ParliamentarySecretary, and Luther Smith, Permanent Secretary were also present.

Resident engineer Albrion Symonette Jr. said the roundabout will require theinstallation of a circle and additional road pavement.

“The current situation has a lot of turning movements where there are conflictsand points at which cars can potentially crash and also creates a danger forpedestrians.

“Replacement of the roundabout will require us to do some demolition, somerelocation of walls and relocation of vegetation. Once that is done that willimprove the efficiency, flow of Village Road and also improve the safety ofmotorists and pedestrians most of whom are children because it’s a school zoneafter all.”

Mr. Symonette said among the challenges faced on the project is undergroundutilities.

“As you’re digging there are instances where you actually damage pipes. Damagesalong the way have caused some delays and setbacks,” he said.

Minister Sears highlighted the “extraordinary” collaboration with KnowlesConstruction, BPL, WSC, Cable Bahamas and the Ministry of Works and Utilitiesand celebrated the design and construction of the project by Bahamians.

“This project was designed by Bahamians. It is also being constructed byBahamians so we have the Bahamian technical expertise and creativity who havecarried the entre design process and now Bahamian expertise constructing andinstalling the infrastructure. This is a fact that we ought to celebrate that in TheBahamas a local talent in the Ministry and the private sector has undertaken thismajor project and it will be world class.”

“You would have seen as we did the walkabout this afternoon in some placesexcavation going to 8 ft., where cables are being laid not only for the present usebut also for the further expansion going all the way to Paradise Island so that theinfrastructure is being not only fit for present purpose but also for the expectedexpansion and rehabilitation along the way of the existing infrastructure.”

He extended thanks to stakeholders including businesses and residents for their“extraordinary” cooperation and the courtesy demonstrated by motorists as theyare diverted from major roadways to side roads. “The report that I have gottenfrom Mr. Symonette is that the stakeholders have been extraordinarilycooperative. I want to thank all of the stakeholders, apologize for anyconvenience but by November we will have a dramatically improved road,sidewalks, and more efficient infrastructure along this very central road.”