Scotland District road rehab ‘makes progress’

Ermy Bourne Highway and Highway F (Phase 2), two of the largest and most technically demanding routes of the road rehabilitation programme, deep in the rugged and geologically unstable Scotland District, are on track for completion by July 2026 and August 202, respectively, the roads’ Chinese builders have told Barbados TODAY.

Project Manager Wang Wei of Chinese state contractor COMPLANT said the engineering team remains committed to its targets despite complex geological conditions, rainy season impacts, and utility relocations.

Other high-priority sites fast-tracked by the Ministry of Transport & Works due to slippage, collapses, and resident inconvenience include White Hill, Laynes Bridge, Airy Hill Bridge, and Melvins Hill Bridge.

Launched in 2020 and financed by a concessional loan from China’s Export-Import Bank, the project targets one of Barbados’ most geologically fragile areas that stretches across St Andrew, marked by erodible soil, clay, chalk, and landslide risks.

Wang explained: “The bridges and culverts had to be reconstructed because, after decades of service in highly corrosive environments, their structural integrity had been significantly reduced and could no longer meet modern transportation requirements, as seen with Bruce Vale Bridge and Melvins Hill Bridge.

“Many roads are in poor existing condition, primarily because the asphalt layers have reached the end of their service life. In addition, the absence of curbs, drains, and other drainage facilities has allowed rainwater to infiltrate the subgrade, damaging it or eroding original retaining walls and causing local collapses, such as at Bloomsbury and Laynes Bridge gully.”

To date, 11 roads, such as Jemmotts Road, Chance Hill Road, Links Road, and Reece Road, have been fully paved, with work ongoing on 16 more roads, bridges, and culverts. “Soon, we will start another few roads,” Wang said, adding that progress remains steady even as teams navigate challenging conditions such as inclement weather.

Eight bridges are slated for reconstruction, including Bruce Vale Bridge, where pile foundation works are complete, and abutment construction is imminent. “Weather permitting, this bridge is expected to be completed by July 2026,” Wang said. He highlighted the degradation of bridges and culverts from decades in corrosive environments, alongside roads suffering from aged asphalt, poor drainage, and erosion at sites like Bloomsbury and Laynes Bridge gully.

Wang emphasised environmental safeguards, such as Dynamic Cone Penetration testing (a manual test that measures soil and identifies subsurface layers) and geotechnical investigations (a study of the soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at a site before construction). The government’s forester, Nigel Jones, was also on hand to protect rare species during excavation.

“As the contractor, COMPLANT has overcome multiple challenges, including complex geological conditions, the impact of the rainy season, and the progress of public utility relocations,” said Wang.

“[Nevertheless], we have adhered to high construction standards and scientific management practices to ensure both quality and progress of the works.”

(LT)