As Saint Lucia gears up for the transformative overhaul of the Julian R. Hunte Highway—better known as the Castries/Gros Islet Highway—the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport (DIPT) is laying the foundation with foresight, urgency, and community inclusion.
Before construction begins on this vital northern corridor, two key bypass routes—Norbert and Vieux Secrieux—are being rehabilitated to ease traffic flow and unlock long-overdue opportunities for the communities they serve. These upgrades, stretching approximately 2.9 kilometers from the River Stone junction in Corinth to the Riviere Mitant junction in Monchy, are already earning enthusiastic support from residents and landowners.
At Thursday night’s town hall meeting held at the Corinth Secondary School, community members voiced strong approval for the rehabilitation work, noting that the roads, long plagued by potholes, poor drainage, and neglect, were finally receiving the attention they deserved. Norbert and Vieux Secrieux are not peripheral settlements—they are vital arteries connecting Castries to Gros Islet, carrying the daily journeys of farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and families.
The DIPT’s approach has been refreshingly inclusive. Through town hall forums, residents and property owners have been invited to shape the process, ask questions, and hold officials accountable. Thursday’s meeting saw representatives from the Ministries of Infrastructure and Planning explain the legal framework surrounding land acquisition, compensation, and property access—issues that have directly affected many since rehabilitation began last month.
Officials, including representatives from the construction firm CIE, responded candidly to all concerns. The atmosphere was cordial, and by the end of the two-hour session, attendees applauded the Ministry and the government for finally addressing a long-standing need.
“This project will allow our communities to breathe,” one resident remarked. Another, met with applause, emphasised the importance of minimizing disruption to daily life during construction.
In attendance was the parliamentary representative for the area, Kenson Casimir.
Senior Minister Stephenson King underscored the deeper significance of the initiative, calling it a “social contract.” He stressed that infrastructure must reflect the lived realities of those who rely on it—not just traffic metrics. “This is about restoring equity and bringing communities like Norbert and Vieux Secrieux out of the shadows,” he said.
Once completed, the upgraded roads will offer safer travel, quicker emergency response, and improved access to education, employment, and healthcare. For women and youth, they promise safer mobility and greater civic participation. For small businesses, they open doors to growth and market access. For tourism, they unveil new corridors beyond the usual hotspots.
These roads are not just paved pathways—they are lifelines. And with this bold investment, Saint Lucia is not only building infrastructure; it is also building trust, equity, and a more resilient future.