Improvements will be made to the island’s infrastructure, thanks to a $3.47 million boost for the Ministry of Public Works as part of the Midyear Budget Review.

At a press conference at the Arboretum in Devonshire yesterday, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch said the funds will go towards several infrastructure projects in addition to what was allocated in the annual Budget in March.

He said the bulk of the money, $2.87 million, was earmarked for capital works.

Colonel Burch said the money would fund several projects to “enhance our infrastructure and benefit our community.

He added: “These funds will be used to improve infrastructure and provide better access to parks and walking trails. These projects are about real improvements.”

He said that $450,000 will be spent on upgrading an independent living programme facility for people aged 18 to 24 who have aged out of care from the Department of Child and Family Services.

Colonel Burch said the money was granted to the Bermuda Housing Corporation to fund renovations and that the work will start “imminently”.

An additional $200,000 will go towards removing overgrown vegetation on tribe roads.

The minister said: “These roads are essential not just for residents but also emergency services responding to incidents.

“Keeping them clear is important for everyone’s safety.”

A further $200,000 was set aside to remove the overgrown vegetation on the Railway Trail as parks staff have worked over weekends to perform the task and have been struggling to manage.

Speaking on whether the work would help with flooding incidents such as was seen last week, Colonel Burch said: “The challenge last week was no matter where you live in the world, when you have that amount of rain, you are going to have flooding.

“Following the flooding last week, we inspected every area where there was flooding. In some cases there was some debris that was in some of the drains.

“The majority of the challenge is that we do not have the infrastructure to drain it off as quickly as we would like.”

About $400,000 will fund public dock repairs at Mangrove Bay, Ports Island, the Dock Hill swimming facility and the prison farm jetty.

Colonel Burch said: “These docks are widely used for fishing, swimming and boating activities as well as for various community programmes such as summer camps and charities.

“These works will be carried out before the start of next summer’s season.”

He said that $1 million was marked for the paving of private roads, funding for which has not been available for several years.

The Government will work with local MPs to initiate the necessary processes.

Colonel Burch said: “We are also allocating $150,000 to purchase new highway-grade aluminium guardrails.

“These will help minimise injuries by protecting drivers from hazards like steep drops, utility poles and bridge pillars.”

He added that $80,000 was available for new flashing pedestrian beacons at crossings.

A further $180,000 will repair pavements and install steel fencing at the busy intersection near the WER Joell Tennis Stadium on Marsh Folly Road and St John’s Road, which is used by many students.

Meanwhile, $80,000 will be used to update and enhance fencing around parks.

Children’s playgrounds at Shelly Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Somerset Long Bay will benefit from $250,000 for the replacement of old equipment, while the lifeguard tower at Horseshoe Bay will be improved, thanks to $175,000 of the total package.

“We want our children to have safe, modern places to play and enjoy the outdoors,” Colonel Burch said.

He added that $200,000 would fund the hiring of ten additional solo sweepers to remove debris from locations around the island.

The ministry will also be replacing four sweepers, bringing the total number to 20.