River project to address flooding underway

by Kareem Smith

A massive facelift is on the horizon for Bridgetown’s eastern corridor that, according to government officials, will provide much needed drainage, small business enfranchisement and a dock for small craft.

On Monday, Phase 3 of the Constitution River Project – an $11 million capital works project financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment and spearheaded by the Barbados Tourism Incorporate – got underway with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.

Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Marsha Caddle told reporters that the 18-month project, which has been long in coming, was held up primarily due to available financing.

“What the project is doing is similar to the two phases that started earlier.

“It is looking at the channel capacity; it is addressing drainage issues, and looking at water quality issues,” explained Caddle, who is also Member of Parliament for a section of the included area.

“Many of you may know that the Hall’s Road community has had to deal with several issues, including and especially flooding, and we have seen that Barbados is experiencing drought conditions, but when we have rainfall, we have had heavy rainfall and we have had to address some serious drainage issues.

“In previous years, because of the flooding and stagnation issues in the canal, what’s been happening is that there has been potential overgrowth of mosquitoes and we have seen that the sanitation and cleanliness of the area has really been a challenge to residents,” the Minister observed.

Caddle noted that Monday’s venture differs from the COVID-19 relief projects announced by the Government and explained that it would not immediately create new jobs.

However, she added, after the major excavator work is completed, landscaping will be conducted in partnership with the building blocks project for the creation of the Halls Road Commercial Village.

According to Caddle, the village will include several kiosks to provide business opportunities for small businesses.

“This is really about giving opportunities to entrepreneurs and realising that when we talk about the private sector, we are not only talking about big business,” she said.

During the groundbreaking, Caddle disclosed that similar relief would be coming for Speightstown residents and business people who have also been crying out for better environmental management and drainage.

“Another project that is going to be momentarily off the ground is a similar one at Speightstown by the Salt Pond.

“The Member of Parliament for that area, every time there is heavy rainfall, sends me a picture and what he means to say is that we really need to start the drainage work in that area to be able to address some of the flooding that they have regrettably been experiencing. That is the next project we want to embark on,” the Economic Affairs Minister announced.

There is currently no timeline for the project at Speightstown, but Caddle said it is projected to cost $9 million.

kareemsmith@barbadotoday.bb