Government does not want to place too much pressure on the already-stretched construction industry and so will delay two major developments this year, Finance Minister Eugene Cox said yesterday.

During his budget speech on capital projects, the Minister said the multi-million dollar new court and Police station complex for Hamilton, along with the new residential centre for youths with behavioural problems, will not go ahead this year as at first thought.

He said construction is now expected to begin on the five courts and Police station, which will be situated on the corner of Victoria and Court streets, sometime during 2004 and 2005.

But the budget yesterday also revealed how the complex has been expanded to provide an additional floor for Government offices, to take advantage of the development allowances under the new Hamilton Plan.

Mr. Cox said submissions to the planning department are underway and construction documents have been completed.

And the residential youth centre for Pembroke, which will provide accommodation for 40 troubled young residents, is now not expected to begin until sometime during 2005 and 2006.

Mr. Cox said: "Every project in Government's Capital Expenditure Plan has been carefully scrutinised. "Only those projects that address Government policy priorities, health and safety, or international security standards have been included.

"Government does not want to overheat the construction industry, which is presently running at near full capacity, hence the delay in going out to tender for the new buildings designed to house the Hamilton Police Station, Magistrates Court and the Residential Care Facility."

Much of the human resources in Bermuda's construction industry are at the moment working on the new $68 million second senior school in Berkeley Road, Pembroke.

The school was supposed to be finished by September this year, however, insiders have claimed it is likely to be a year late.

Mr. Cox unveiled yesterday how a total of $70 million has been earmarked this year for capital projects - many of which are taken care of by the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

He said 43 percent of that total will be used for the improvement and construction of educational plant, mostly the new senior school to replace Berkeley Institute.

He said: " (Money) will be invested in educational plant and equipment, airport runway works, rest home development, public transportation and office accommodation for Government workers.

"The further investment in education plant in the forthcoming fiscal year represents 43 percent of the capital development budget.

"This investment is essential to the ongoing delivery of the school curriculum in an effective and efficient manner within a modern and safe school environment."

Planned expenditure this year includes a further $28 million for the continuing development of the new school, along with $3.5 million to complete work on three middle schools, and $5.3 million for furniture and information technology equipment.

Within the Ministry of Transport, $6 million has been set aside for runway upgrades at the airport, along with new approach lighting, and S-Band Doppler Radar System and improvements to the air conditioning.

Extra money has also been allotted to continue the upgrade of the ferry system, and about $9.3 million has been given to the Ministry of Health and Family Services for key projects, including rest home renovations and the new St. George's rest home.

Capital works will also be carried out at National Sports Centre and St. Brendan's Hospital, and other works include an anti-coastal erosion scheme along South Shore, the relocation of the recycling centre, and the structural refurbishment of bridges. In total, more than $74 million will be spent, as $4 million is being carried over from last year.

Yesterday Minister of Works and Engineering Alex Scott said he believed it was wise to hold off on the major developments, but said it would not be necessary to hold back the court and Police station complex until the school was totally finished as there could be some overlap.

"Delaying the major projects is probably prudent," he said.

"We are ready to go; we have the drawings and we are at the point where we are ready to tender at the moment.

"We have the major approvals from planning, so that project will be the next biggy. It's just really when Cabinet gives us the nod.

"It should be appreciated, though, that even though we are engaged with the new secondary school, the skills that we are using in the final stages of the build-out are not the skills that we will need in the early stages of the Police station. It is different stages and different skills.

"There may be some overlap."