Motoring misery for four weeks

Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister.

As of Monday, September 17, 2018

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday defended the decision to start a resurfacing exercise for Bernard Road tomorrow that will last for 21 working days.

The Ministry of Public Works and Bahamix announced the resurfacing exercise yesterday, which will extend from the “Village Road/Wulff Road/Soldier Road Junction” to the roundabout at Fox Hill Freedom Park.

The work will take place from 9:30am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday.

When asked why this initiative wasn’t conducted in the summer and how the ministry expects school traffic to be managed, Mr Bannister said it is “simplistic” to think all roads can be paved during the season.

“I have spoken publicly on this issue and explained what we do on several occasions,” Mr Bannister told The Tribune yesterday.

“Before my Ministry paves any road we meet with every utility. These meetings happen every Monday. Water and Sewerage must confirm that they have completed all of their laterals. Same with BTC, BPL and Cable.

“The purpose is to ensure that once we pave they do not come behind us to dig the road up after it has been paved.

“It is simplistic to think that we can simply pave roads during the summer. The paving goes on all year round as permitted by the work that the utilities have to do.”

According to the Public Notice, Bernard Road will be divided into eight paving sections to minimize traffic congestion.

The paving sections are as follows: Wulff/Village/Sodier Road - Thompson Street, Thompson Street - Hillside Park Road, Hillside Park Road - Windsor Street, Windsor Street - Adderley Street, Adderley Street - Grant Street, Grant Street - Cockburn Street, Cockburn Street - Rahming Street, Rahming Street - Fox Hill Roundabout.

“There will be east and west bound lane closures implemented for the sections and for the duration of the works,” the notice continued.

Traffic diversions will be implemented for each “section” and provisions will be made for residents and businesses where necessary, the notice added.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and the public is also asked to be aware of and acknowledge the posted traffic paving signs in the area.

“Bahamix apologizes for any inconvenience caused,” the notice concluded.

All queries of concern are to be directed to 361-3886 or 341-3886.

Fitmiss 6 years, 3 months ago

I always wondered why we don't do these kinds of things at night. I guess we do not have the proper lighting in place for this. I noticed abroad the other day, that a lot of the road work, take place after hours with sufficient signage in place strategically warning of the work ahead.

Socrates 6 years, 3 months ago

No brain people. firstly, the cables should all be on those posts on the side of the road. the water pipes should be either on the roadside or condition verified before paving. Finally, given the unbearable impact this will have on road users, one has to ask the obvious question, why cant this be done at night, say 10:00pm to 6:00am and on weekends? police, hospital, airport and hotel workers work those hours.. just typical, lazy, brain-dead, we dont give a s**it attitude..

xtreme2x 6 years, 3 months ago

change time from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm. TO 5.30 PM TO 11.00 PM EVEN IF IT MEANS PAYING EMPLOYEES EXTRA. COULD SOME WORK BE DONE AT NIGHT?

Dawes 6 years, 3 months ago

Newly built roads now have the utilities to the side so the road doesn't have to be torn up to fix. Unfortunately Bernard Road is an old road and was built when these were put under the road. it will cost the Government too much to change that (and take a lot longer then 21 days). As for doing it at night, easy to say if you don't live there, however those that live there will not be getting much sleep.This is why Bay Street was done at night as no one lives there. As always once its done everyone will be happy the road was paved. If done correctly with proper road management it shouldn't mean too much additional time to travel except during the hours of 9.30am to 2pm.