$2 Million In Repairs For Grand Bahama’s Hurricane Torn Roads

A contract has been negotiated with a local contractor, Smith’s Construction, for the repair of damaged roads in Hepburn Town, Martin Town, Lewis Yard and West Grand Bahama, said Mr. Roberts.

The contract follows an assessment by Consultant Engineering Company and the ministry’s technical team, which found more than $2 million in damage to the infrastructure in southwest Grand Bahama in the wake of Hurricane Wilma, which devastated parts of the island last October.

This is in addition to the $2.9 million contract signed with Waugh Construction for upgrades to roadways from Eight Mile Rock to West End, including Queen’s Highway, Jones Town, Russell Town, Martin Town, Holmes Rock, Bootle Bay, Deadman’s Reef and Pine Forest.

Areas of West End’s main settlements will be repaved and portions of Chisholm Avenue, Quakoo Street and Seagrape Roads will be resurfaced.

Referring to the $5.3 million contract signed in July of 2005, for repairs to the infrastructure in East Grand Bahama, Mr. Roberts announced that a contract was to be signed with Treasure Coast Marine to benefit residents in a cay off the eastern coastline.

"During the contract signing of the road in East Grand Bahama, I also indicated that my ministry proposes to bring short-term relief to the residents of Sweeting’s Cay by excavating a channel through the two shallow areas on the Sweeting’s Cay approaches," Mr. Roberts said recently while in Grand Bahama.

The minister also spoke of the government’s efforts to relocate two graveyards on the coastline.

"A new graveyard will commence very shortly at Pinder’s Point, pending the completion of the design drawing," said Mr. Roberts. "We are in the process of identifying suitable land for the construction of a new graveyard at Holmes Rock."

Coffins were unearthed from gravesites located on the coastline during Hurricane Wilma, bringing bodies to the surface in some flooded areas.

The unveiling of bodies and the potential for future hurricanes posing a similar challenge prompted government officials to seek alternative locations.

Areas in western Grand Bahama that are prone to flooding also experienced major flood damage during the recent hurricanes and are slated for improvement.

"In addition to the road paving works, the technical officers have indicated that they intend to resolve the flooding problems experienced by residents of Bootle Bay and Quakoo Street through the implementation of a drainage system," Mr. Roberts said.