The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Clay Sweeting said yesterday there were some delays in roadworks on the Eastern Road, but officials are “moving forward”.

Mr Sweeting said Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) along with Water and Sewerage had necessary work to do in the area.

He said his ministry wanted to ensure the new paved road wouldn’t be disturbed.

“So, as they complete, we pave,” Mr Sweeting said.

On March 5, the Ministry of Works issued a statement that paving works would begin at the junction of Johnson Road heading east and end at the junction of Fox Hill road. The road- works were expected to be completed by March 22.

Originally motorists were advised roadwork would take place between 7.30am and 3.30pm daily. Mr Sweeting later adjusted the timeframe of the road works to limit the frustration of motorists.

“We’ll start around at around nine o’clock after traffic dies off on Eastern Road. The reality is we have an aggressive road paving programme that we’re trying to pave over 55 miles of road in New Providence this year and the following year. So, we’re trying to schedule all of that. We got to get it done. So we’re just trying minimise the frustration of the people that live out there as well,” he told reporters on March 6 outside the House of Assembly.

In December 2023, Mr Sweeting announced a $98m road paving to repair more than 50 miles of roads in New Providence in the first phase.

He said Bahamix was the main contractor for the $98,210,000 programme, which aims to improve the porosity of more than 55 miles of community and arterial roads in New Providence and the Family Islands.

The New Providence portion of the programme costs $91,207,000.68 and work was scheduled to happen within two and a half years. Sidewalk construction costs $3m and drainage works $4m.

Some $2m has also been budgeted to address flooding issues in the Dowdeswell and Bay Street areas.