Update on Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project

After more than a year of rehabilitation, the road at Airy Hill Bottom, St Joseph has been paved and reopened. Work was completed under the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) $230 million Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Programme (SDRRP), in collaboration with contractors the China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT), and sub-contractor Infra Construction Inc.

Major roadworks to enhance road safety and infrastructure on Airy Hill commenced early last year. At that time, MTW’s Project Representative on the SDRRP George Holder, explained that the scope of works for the area included road realignment and repairs to a culvert. He stated that the road had a dangerous bend and the culvert would need to be replaced due to the failure of the old one.

“We need to increase the capacity for the flow of water through it.” he said.

In giving an update on other projects, Holder said presently, three structures – Melvin Hill Bridge, St Joseph, Dark Hole and Brucevale Bridge, St Andrew are currently being erected. Similar to Melvin Hill Bridge, which was closed last year due to failure, Dark Hole has also failed.

He said there were issues in gaining access to Dark Hole, however they have gone in successfully and the construction has been going well. The expected date for completion is August this year.

In Brucevale, it is expected that by the end of June, all the foundations for the bridge will be constructed and then the super structure and the abutments on either side can be completed. The bridge deck is also waiting to be installed. It is anticipated that the project will be completed in late August, early September, when the road will be opened to traffic.

On the Ermie Bourne Highway, work is also progressing, where a number of structures had to be repaired. According to Holder, due to the longevity of the existing culverts and structures, there was a need to replace them. In Cattlewash, the road has been paved, with the work continuing from Cattlewash into Barclays Park.
(PR/MTW)