“It is to provide a safe and resilient main carriageway for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, while ensuring adequate drainage to reduce the possibility of flooding and road degradation,” he said.
Phase one (1) of the project commenced in March 2018. Under the project, the five-kilometre (km) stretch of road between Camps and Challengers has been completely resurfaced. Phase one also entails the construction of a proper drainage system on the eastern side of St. Kitts in the vicinity of CONTEC, the widening of the main road, as well as the building of drains, retention walls and sidewalks at various points.
“For the first time, local contractors are engaged to provide significant input into road construction works of this magnitude,” said Prime Minister Harris, adding that five local construction companies were awarded contracts to construct drains and sidewalks. “This approach has fulfilled a promise of this Team Unity Government to empower our local businesses to be key players in the advancement of the national development agenda.”
Prime Minister Harris said that the upgrade of the island main road is a “special project that gives emphasis to his administration’s approach to inclusive growth and prosperity.”
The first phase of the project is on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. After its completion, the second phase of construction of the remainder of the road will commence.
The main activity in Phase two (2) will be the resurfacing of the remaining 38 kilometres of the main road from Keys on the eastern side of the island, covering Cayon, Ottley’s, Saddlers and other areas ending at Challengers.