In response to persistent complaints about the state of some roads, Minister for Infrastructure Stephenson King has given a critical report on the rehabilitation and improvements of the island’s main road networks.
Minister King unequivocally said in a pre-cabinet meeting on Monday that major repair work has been finished; several projects are under progress and more projects are about to start.
Emphasising the government’s strategic Year of Infrastructure 2030 plan, he underlined that road maintenance and restoration are very vital parts of this project.
Minister King said, “This year the department has proactively tackled numerous road rehabilitation projects and maintenance activities.”
“In this regard, the department has been responding to the needs of Saint Lucians,” the minister added.
He admitted that “Road infrastructure in Saint Lucia has suffered from prolonged deterioration, often extending over five to ten years.”
He also underlined the urgent need of fixing not only the crumbling infrastructure but also the systematic shortfall in preserving basic services such as roads and water. The minister underlined that the Year of Infrastructure corresponds with the strategic plan known as Infrastructure 2030, challenging the government to modernise current infrastructure and foresee the demands of the nation by 2030.
Along with the Year of Infrastructure project, King underlined the pragmatic application of the Road Improvement and Maintenance Programme (RIMP) 5, designating significant communities for focused attention to both main and community road infrastructures.
Focusing on the Zabon/Bell Vue Road, which is under repair with an investment of $10.4 million, King gave particular updates on ongoing projects including major rehabilitation works in the Vieux Fort North constituency under the RIMP initiative. “This road is under construction, and we are achieving notable progress,” he said.
In Canaries, repairs are underway on the Riverside Road, featuring the construction of a bridge and additional protective structures, with plans to extend the road upstream to create an opening for a waterfall. Moreover, a comprehensive $15 million repair project is in the pipeline for the Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques area.
With a $9.9 million budget, road projects in the Micoud North community on the La Pointe are also advancing. “Community engagement meetings have been held to ensure transparency and collaboration on this project,” King said.
In the Gros Islet constituency, significant improvements are happening in the Assou Canal area, with road rehabilitation efforts valued at $7.2 million. Plans are also underway to enhance the road network between Assou Canal and the Vieux Sucrieux/Noben/Corinth road, creating a more comfortable and safer thoroughfare.
King noted that the first phase of the Beausejour/Kaye Mange road works, initiated before the 2024 ICC World Cup, has been successfully completed, improving ride quality and identifying potential weak spots for effective future responses. The final asphalt layer is scheduled for completion by next January.
Under the Pilot Project, the Dennery/La Caye road has also been fully rebuilt with an eye towards a sustainable maintenance schedule to extend the road’s lifetime. Valued at $3.8 million, upcoming restoration projects from the La Ressource junction alongside the highway are slated to start soon.
Along with another building worth $750,000 in Canelles, a $2.5 million project at Cedar Heights in Vieux Fort is now completed.
The administration claims it is dedicated to see that infrastructure grows in line with local demands.