Public works minister apologises for poor state of roads
The Minister of Public Works has apologised to the people of Bermuda for the “significant state of disrepair” that the roads are in, saying that efforts to address the problem have been largely unsuccessful.
Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch provided an update in the House of Assembly on progress being made with the Belco Infrastructure Project, the Ministry of Public Works’s Water and Wastewater Masterplan Phase I works in St George’s and road paving generally.
“Let me begin by apologising to the people of Bermuda and those who live here and use our roads for the state they are in,” he told the House.
Colonel Burch pointed out that the Government’s physical assets are ageing, including machinery that supports roadworks, in particular the asphalt plant and miller, which have been out of service for most of the year.
He said that by the second quarter of 2024, the Government's new plant will arrive and be commissioned.
He also mentioned global supply-chain issues and that asphalting is “an expensive business”, costing the ministry 62 cents on every dollar used for road paving for this material.
It was revealed that several Bermuda crew members will train with Astec Industries in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in January.
A team of three from Astec has been to Bermuda observing the process and operation of equipment locally. A team from the ministry, including Colonel Burch, participated in a full debriefing and “encouraging” discussions with the visiting experts last Wednesday. The full report and recommendation with costings is due in January.
“The plan is to train the trainer there and subsequently provide training locally for all the highways staff of new techniques and applications to enhance the asphalt-laying process,” Colonel Burch said.
He said the company had identified several new pieces of equipment that enable greater lengths of road to be paved at once.
Colonel Burch set out a number of plans in place to address the state of the roads in light of critical works as part of the Belco and wastewater projects.
“The sacrifice is worth the wait because, when completed, we will see the protection of our freshwater supplies, protection of our electrical infrastructure and ensuring that the sewage we produce is properly disposed of in a more environmentally conscious way,” he said.
“While these works are progressing steadily, the final phase of the Belco trenching works from Franks Bay in Southampton to the Evans Bay Sub Station have been paused until the new year.
“I can report that much of this trenching work will occur on the Railway Trail rather than the main road, thus providing some relief to those travelling out of the west.
“The trenching for the Water and Wastewater Masterplan Phase I works in St George’s has been completed, and we are in the throes of commissioning the new reverse osmosis and sewage treatment plants, gradually bringing online residents and businesses in St George’s and Southside.”
He praised the Department of Works and Engineering’s asphalt crews led by Tina Beer-Searle, the principal highways engineer.
Colonel Burch said that to address government assets that are not properly functioning, a partnership was formed with East End Asphalt, which has shared supplies, equipment and staffing with the Government.
“This protocol will continue while we work to get the plant operational again and explore options for the purchase of a new plant,” he said.
• Completed repair work for uneven surfaces along Mullet Bay Road near Stokes Point Road, St David’s Road entrance, Kindley Field Road, Middle Road at Warwick Academy and Middle Road at St Anthony’s Church
• Completed the permanent paving for trenching works at York Street in St George’s, Harrington Sound Road to the Leamington Caves area, Harrington Sound Road from Shark Hole to Paynter’s Road and Devil’s Hole to Harrington Hundreds entrance
• Completed the temporary paving of Belco trench work along Middle Road in Warwick and Southampton, Palmetto Road, Old Military Road and Frog Lane in Devonshire, and multiple road crossings in St David’s Parish
• Completed drainage improvements by creating an asphalt lip on Perimeter Lane at the Glebe Road junction and installed a drainage channel at the Glebe Road bus lay-by to allow for excess rainwater to be redirected into the nearby canal
• Resurfaced the netball courts near the WER Joell Tennis Stadium that are being utilised by schools and the public
• Paved the Watford Bridge lanes
• Fixed hundreds of potholes — most of which were reported to potholes@gov.bm
Crews are due to complete work this financial year, including on Harrington Sound Road in Hamilton Parish, South Road in Southampton near the Henry VIII restaurant, Middle Road in Warwick near the old TN Tatem Middle School, and South Road at Collector’s Hill Road junction.
Colonel Burch added: “We are in the budgetary process for next year. As is customary, not every dollar that is budgeted for a specific project is spent. So, during this process, we are also exploring the options to ensure we have enough material and supplies to produce asphalt so that we can accelerate the pace of road paving by transferring funds to the highways budget, should the need arise.
“Until such time that the new equipment arrives, the ministry will continue its efforts with works along Harrington Sound Road heading west towards Middle Road in Flatts, along Middle Road to Store Hill and along the North Shore Road to the National Sports Centre.
• In January, the paving work will continue, with the government highways crew and East End Asphalt’s crew working with asphalt produced by East End
• Overseas technicians will return to repair the existing plant so that it is operational until the new plant is purchased and commissioned
• The specs and costing for a new plant and equipment will be received and acted upon
• An order will be placed for a new plant and various pieces of new equipment
• By the second quarter of 2024, the new plant will arrive and be commissioned
• In the February Budget, additional funding for roadworks will be requested
• During 2024, more paving work will be done throughout the island.
• To read the minister’s statement, see Related Media
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