The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Fishing Hole Road is in need of urgent repair since the passing the Hurricane Sandy two weeks ago.

Although large sections of the damaged road have been removed and filled with dirt, actual repair work has not yet started on the causeway.

Locals are concerned about the current state of the road.

Motorists complained that road conditions are not safe for vehicular traffic. They also complained that it is causing wear and tear on their vehicles.

The Fishing Hole Road, which connects Freeport and West Grand Bahama, is prone to severe flooding from Hawksbill Creek, especially during hurricanes.

Storm surge caused by Hurricane Sandy washed away large sections of the road, making daily commuting a challenge for motorists.

Community activist Troy Garvey, founder of Operation Justice, is calling on relevant authorities to address the “unsafe” conditions at FHR.

“This is a serious situation; there is no signage warning motorists to approach the area with caution, and there are no barricades to prevent vehicles from the edge of road which is collapsing (into the water).

“This is unacceptable and we are calling on the powers that be to address the situation,” Mr Garvey said.

Jonathan Glinton said the area presents a serious challenge and danger to motorists, especially in cases of emergencies.

He said: “Vehicles are unable to make way for emergency vehicles and motorists cannot pull over to the side of road because someone could lose their life.”

Etienne Farquharson believes that FHR is not fit for vehicular traffic.

“Hurricane Sandy just exacerbated an already bad situation. This thoroughfare is a sorry excuse for a road,” he said.

“There are huge craters that are death traps; you have no room for getting out of the way in case of an emergency or if you have a flat tire, or if your vehicular malfunctions.”

The organisation is also appealing to authorities to find a solution to flooding problem at FHR.

The Tribune spoke with Arthur Jones, vice-president of Building and Development Services at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, about the condition and repair of FHR.

As regulators of the City of Freeport, the GBPA has responsibility for all roads in the Port Area.

Mr Jones explained that although the Port has assisted with repairs from time to time in the past, the Fishing Hole Road is really the government’s responsibility.

However, he said they would probably offer some assistance to the government with repairs to the road.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville could not be reached for comment.

The government has stated that funds would be allocated to repair public infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

The Tribune also contacted Ministry of Works official Rosemarie Nixon-Martin in Freeport, who directed us to speak with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works Colin Higgs and Civil Engineer David Bullock.

Both Mr Higgs and Mr Bullock were not in office.