GIS - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport Hon. Philip J. Pierre said that the most recent road improvement project is expected to result in a sound and modern road network, with myriad benefits.
Speaking at a signing ceremony for the Choc Bay-Gros Islet and Secondary Roads Improvement Project, Minister Pierre indicated that upon completion, the project will enhance Saint Lucia’s investment climate, and result in substantial growth-inducing opportunities.
“This vision of a new, modern, resilient, and traffic friendly roadway from Castries to Gros-Islet was born out of a vision of the Hon. Prime Minister. The project proposes the rehabilitation of approximately seven kilometers of road, and the improvement of [several] secondary roads which will create new growth opportunities in the north and alleviate the traffic bottleneck,” he said.
“On completion, it will reduce traffic congestion in the busiest part of the island and will improve the environment for doing business in our country by reducing travel time. It will also improve the quality of life of our people.
“Government envisages a sound, modern road network that reduces travel time, while opening up large areas of land for future development.”
According to Minister Pierre, the government also anticipates substantial growth inducing opportunities, knowledge transfer, enhancement of employment skills and transfer of knowledge in the technology and construction industries.
He added that because road safety is a major priority of the Ministry of Infrastructure, traffic monitoring and data gathering devices will be installed to assist with remote monitoring of traffic, in order to improve emergency responses.
Other components of the project include the addition of two lanes from Choc Bay to the Gros Islet junction that will complement the already existing two lanes from Vigie to Choc converting the entire road into a four lane carriageway; seven overhead pedestrian bridges; the construction of roundabouts for junction improvements in congested areas; and filter lanes for improved traffic flow.
A public education campaign will precede the project, slated to commence by mid-2015, and expected to be completed by 2018.