7 Roundabouts And Nine Pedestrian Bridges To Be Built.
THE Castries/Gros Islet highway and secondary roads in Gros Islet are set for major redevelopment in the coming months, following the signing of a loan agreement earlier this week between the Government of Saint Lucia and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish signed off on the Choc Bay-Gros Islet Road and Secondary Roads Improvement Project, aimed at enhancing Saint Lucia‘s socio-economic development. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Social Security, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia.
The signing ceremony was held on Monday in Vienna, Austria. In his remarks, Dr. Anthony gave the assurance that the project would proceed with alacrity. He said:
“Recognizing the economic and social benefits to be derived from this investment, through improved connectivity and expansion of opportunities for the citizens of Saint Lucia, the Government of Saint Lucia wishes to assure you of its utmost commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
“We remain grateful for the support provided in the design and preparation phases. I am confident that this support will continue during the implementation so that we speedily resolve bottlenecks as they arise.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia, I wish to reiterate my profound gratitude to the Director General of the OPEC Fund for International Development for the expediency with this financing.”
The OFID loan is valued at US$18 million. The project, co-financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, will rehabilitate 27km of main and secondary roads. The highway between Choc Bay and Gros Islet will be expanded to four lanes. Seven roundabouts and nine pedestrian bridges will be built as well.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Oh my gosh, more (unnecessary) Loans? who will pay for all dem loans when our Tourist Industry begin to suffer after the U.S. and Cuba become friends again? do we really need four lane Highways, or is this just an Election blind spot? the things people will do to hold on to power.
I agree when asking if we really need 4 lane high ways.
Facts are whenever on this 4 lanes a accident happens all traffic stops in this direction!! Since there is no extra space to add a bypass I cant see the advance of it. Yes,the amount of cars on the road in that direction will be higher, but I’m skeptical if it become faster to travel Gros-Islet to Castries since everyone has to slow down when the next roundabout come.
A wider 1 lane with a small bypass lane (for emergency and accident traffic jam) would be better in my opinion.
It also would be nice to print a drawing to see of what is going on.
How can someone not see the need for a – long overdue – four lane highway from Castries to Gros islet?
Citizen Kane, do you reside in Saint Lucia? you are a self profess CPA, so why you always thumbing your noise in issues out side your profession… do you have any clue why the bottle necks persist? Please tells us how to grow the economy inside out, stay out the issues you do not have the facts before you…. Peace
What being a CPA has to so with the necessity of a, ten mile, four lane highway from Castries to Gros islet? Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad; all had the need for four lane roads; and they built them; improving their economies in the process.
NY, I may be a resident of New Jersey, but I’m also a St.Lucian who happens to own a home in St.Lucia; Monchy to be specific; and I’m on the island every other year; so I know, first-hand, what it’s like to get from Monchy to Castries on any given day of the week; especially during rush hour; so keep your smart ass comments to yourself.
I am sick and tired of you taking me to task on every comment I post on this blog. If jackasses like you had your way, St.Lucia would still be in the 1950’s.
One lane, two, three or four lanes, Lucians are very poor drivers. This is a small Island and everyone is in a hurry. I live in a big City, ten minutes from a busy high Way. All day, and mainly at night, I hear the Police, Ambulance and Fire Truck with loud siren rushing to help some idiot who caused a crash. What makes anyone think that half wits in St.Lucia are any better drivers than those in big Cities. Why should the citizen be lumbered with the burden of heavy debt for the stupidity of a few spoiled brats? If and when they crash, hit them heavy in the wallet till it brings them to their senses. I would sooner see BOAT SERVICE from Castries to Rodney Bay for those who are not in a hurry and cheaper too. I am very suspicious of all the announcement of construction work just before an Election. Now tell me, when is St. Jude Hospital schedule to open? When is the Stadium return to be a Stadium once again. Too much borrowing for projects that are never completed and are left half done and badly done…The cure is always worse than the infection. Thank you DOC.
Dear Sir/Madam.
Are you a business man or woman? Are you in any financial stress or do you need funds to start up your own business? Do you have a low credit score and you are finding it hard to obtain a loan from local banks and other financial institutes? the solution to your financial problem is Joshua Lim Loan company From Singapore.
a) Personal Loan, Business Expansion.
b) Business Start-up and Education.
c) Debt Consolidation.
d) Hard Money Loans.
e) Mortgage Finance.
We are a private financial Institution we offer 2% interest loan from the range of $5,000.00 to $20,000,000.00 from one year to fifty years.
For more information and application contact us with the information below:
[email protected]