Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King is not pleased with the road rehabilitation works being conducted by NAMALCO, the Trinidad-based firm which was awarded the contract for the West Coast Road reconstruction project.
At a media briefing this week, Minister King did not hold back his dissatisfaction, stating, “I am very disappointed in NAMALCO’s performance. ”
“I have noticed and must address the lack of adequate signage in several areas,” he asserted, emphasising the need for respect towards the citizens of Saint Lucia and the values of the government.
Several attempts to contact the company here proved futile.
Minister King reiterated the importance of ongoing projects as part of the Year of Infrastructure initiative, declaring, “Our goal is to alleviate the strains on our citizens, especially concerning the Northern Corridor, from the Choc Roundabout to Gros Islet.”
“We will tackle the section from Choc Bridge to Gros Islet in three phases: Choc Bridge to Marisule, Marisule to Bois D’Orange, and Bois D’Orange Bridge to the Gros Islet junction,” King said, asserting further that to execute this project, the heavy traffic along the Sir Julian R. Hunte highway must be addressed.
“Our focus is on providing relief to those who navigate the route from Choc to Gros Islet,” he said.
The Minister detailed plans for a bypass road along Vieux Sucrieux/Noben/Corinth, with the first phase estimated to cost approximately $8 million and will include necessary drainage systems.
“We are committed to delivering an attractive, wide road that ensures safe navigation and improved travel times compared to the main highway,” King said, noting that this alternate route will enable easier access to the Grand Rivière highway, thereby facilitating smoother commutes.
Additionally, another bypass is in the pipeline, aimed at relieving congestion on the main highway. It will link the Bois D’Orange Bridge behind Sunbuilt Hardware to Corinth, marking the start of a comprehensive plan to establish a parallel route to the Gros Islet highway, culminating at the Choc roundabout.
Looking ahead, he explained, “The plan involves extending this road uphill back into the Choc Valley, ultimately linking to the Choc roundabout.”