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Phase II of infrastructural rehabilitation and repairs along the Roselle roadway in St. Thomas, comprising shoreline protection works, is currently underway, says Transport and Works Minister, Hon Michael Henry.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday (February 26), Mr. Henry said that the work, which is being undertaken by one of the National Works Agency’s (NWA) Force Account Teams, commenced on February 22, with project site preparatory activities currently being implemented.

Mr. Henry explained that the project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at a cost of $230 million, will address approximately 1.3 kilometres of failed roadway. He also pointed out that the preparatory works are intended to reduce disruption of the flow of traffic along that corridor.

“The revetment will protect the shoreline and the roadway by reducing wave energy reaching the shore, and prevent erosion. The boulders are being packed closely at an incline to achieve this,” the Minister outlined, pointing out that the works are slated to be undertaken over six months.

Mr. Henry stated that a retaining wall will also be constructed at Roach Gully, which is in close proximity to the Roselle project site. He said that the area was damaged during the passage of Hurricane Dean in 2007. The wall is expected to be constructed at a cost of $21 million with funding provided by the IDB.

Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, in welcoming the projects, lamented that six areas in the region, including some 20 communities, have been “cut off’ from the rest of the parish.

“If we get heavy rainfall, it is impossible for us to reach any hospital,” said Mr. Robertson who is also Member of Parliament for Western St. Thomas, where the project is situated.