PRESS RELEASE – The Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport is pleased to report that it is satisfied with the progress achieved to date on the Gesneau Landslide and Road Reinstatement.
While major construction activity started in January 2016, the project is sufficiently advanced and as long as the weather remains favorable, all indications are that the project will be completed by the end of April 2016.
The Gesneau Landslide and Road Reinstatement project is one of the more significant projects which had to be undertaken since the passage of Hurricane Tomas in 2010. A number of homes were destroyed and the road which facilitated an easy connection between Babonneau and other northern communities and the East Coast Highway was severed.
According to the Hurricane Tomas Rehabilitation Project coordinator Mr. Jude Regis, this project was especially challenging due to the magnitude of the landslide and the Ministry of Infrastructure had to undertake a number of preliminary studies. The Ministry is presently constructing a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall, with a depth ranging between 3 and 9 metres high. Mr. Regis also highlighted that the design chosen is sufficiently resilient, and is in conformity with the Ministry’s “Build Back Better” strategy.
This project is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank under the Hurricane Tomas Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project at a cost of $5,071,231.28, and is being undertaken by Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd.
Upon completion, the major link road connecting the Babonneau and the Gesneau community will be reinstated. This road will become very important particularly when the Government commences construction work on the Choc to Gros Islet Highway Expansion project.
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