Contractor to cover repairs after 'poor-quality material' used on St Thomas highway – NWA
Published:Saturday | August 10, 2024 | 2:15 PM
The National Works Agency (NWA) says the deterioration of a section of the multi-billion dollar Southern Coastal Highway in St Thomas was due to "poor material quality" that the contractor is fixing at no cost to taxpayers.
Works Minister Robert Morgan has instructed that the repairs be covered by the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the NWA said in a statement on Saturday.
The repairs are being done to the section of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project between Yallahs Ponds and Pamphret and motorists are to expect delays, the agency says.
The NWA says sections of the roughly 1.6 kilometre-stretch deteriorated in recent weeks. It was exacerbated by rains associated with Hurricane Beryl's passage in July.
It says the minister authorised the repairs after touring the corridor on Friday.
"Based on technical assessments done, it was determined that poor material quality was the source of the problem," the NWA says. "Minister Morgan has instructed that the bad material be removed and the road be repaired at no cost to the government. The matter is being treated as a defect under the contract for the works, which contractors China Harbour Engineering Company are mandated to fix."
The cost of the repairs was not disclosed.
The NWA says CHEC started its mobilisation on Saturday and the works will be done over the next three weeks.
Motorists are being advised to expect some delays in using the corridor from Salt Pond to Pamphret. The road at times will be reduced to single lane usage and motorists are being urged to reduce speed, obey posted warning signs and the instructions of flag persons.
The Harbour View to Yallahs Bridge leg of the project was officially opened in February.
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