Massive pothole patching program in the cards

Tue, May 29th 2012, 08:57 AM

The government will have to undertake a massive patching program as days of rain have resulted in the development of scores of potholes across the island.
The rain has persisted over the course of the month so far, making it nearly impossible for workmen to repair the patchy roads.
Minister of Works and Urban Development Philip Brave Davis said he chaired a meeting over the weekend, directing Ministry of Works officials to begin the patching exercise.
"Work will begin this week," he said, acknowledging that a "large amount" of potholes have developed across the island.
Drivers and pedestrians are also being asked to report all potholes they come across throughout the island.
Reports can be made to the ministry's hotline, 302-9700, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Widespread flooding was reported at least three times this month, contributing to the number of potholes that have developed.
Members of the public have complained bitterly over the number of potholes. Davis said the workmen will move as fast as they can.
In addition to creating potholes, the rain has also significantly slowed the road works.
The completion date for the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) is now expected to be pushed back even further as the rain has resulted in severe delays, according to Ministry of Works Environmental Specialist Shenique Albury.
Work on the project, which has been ongoing for more than four years, has come to a standstill several times this month due to torrential rains and flooding, Albury said.
"It has impacted progress," she said at a press conference last week at the Ministry of Works.
"Quite a number of things that we have to do in our work can not be done in wet or rainy weather. Once it's full out rain there's no work going on for the most part.
"Certain types of work such as preparation of material for paving and paving as well can also still be delayed after rain because you can't work [with] wet or saturated material.
"So we have had some significant delays because of the rain. But we are still trying to work through it as much as we can."
Earlier this year, government officials said the project would be "largely completed" by the end of the year.
However, Albury said the Ministry of Works has to consistently readjust the program and the schedule because of the rain.
Despite the setbacks the work is about 85 percent completed, according to Albury.

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