Public Works Minister Craig Cannonier formally reopened Palmetto Road this afternoon more than two years after it was damaged.

Traffic on the road has been limited since February 28, 2013, when heavy rains caused a retaining wall to collapse. The conditioned worsened a year later on February 14, 2014, when a second collapse took place, damaging a nearby home.

While Mr Cannonier noted that the finishing touches on the wall will be completed in the coming days, he said he was pleased to see work coming to a close.

“These wall collapses caused significant damage and ultimately resulted in the closure of Palmetto Road and Dutton Avenue for more than two years.

“Additionally, the second collapse in 2014, resulted in substantial damage and flooding to 6 Perimeter Lane, the home of John Roach, and his tenant had to be rehoused in property belonging to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.”

“It has been a long two years of very difficult and substantial road and wall repairs, but I am very pleased to be here to see the completion of this project. In addition to the major work to repair and rebuild the wall here, the Ministry of Public Works did a substantial amount of renovations to make Mr Roach’s property habitable again and we are very pleased with the results.”

Mr Cannonier thanked the workers responsible for completing the project and Mr Roach for his continued patience as the work was carried out.

“We are hoping that you are content with where you are now and if there are any concerns, you know we have an open-door policy as we move forward,” he said.

Mr Cannonier said that following the most recent downpours, he visited the site and was pleased to see the proper drainage in the area.

Asked about the results, Mr Roach said: “I’m not an engineer, but common sense would say they have done a good job. The real test will be when we have another downpour like the original one, which overflowed banks and everything.

“With that said, I’m thankful that work is completed and things have happened.”

Mr Cannonier also noted the completion of road work on the nearby Dutton Avenue, which required extensive repairs after last year’s hurricanes.

“Public Works carried out substantial asphalt overlay on the road to make it less liable to flooding,” he said. “This also strengthened the road structure and dissipated traffic pressures on the underlying soft material of the Pembroke Marsh beneath the road.

“A concrete wall edging was also built in some areas and fencing has been erected. The road is now open to two-way traffic and looks great. Thanks again to the motoring public for their patience as we repaired and rebuilt Dutton Avenue.

“As the minister responsible for public works, it is very gratifying to see Palmetto Road and Dutton Avenue open again. I recognise that my team is stretched with lots of work to be done around the Island and completing these two projects was not an easy task.”