Taiwanese Ambassador hands over cheque for cross country road

As he accepted a cheque for EC$2.74 million from Taiwanese Ambassador Jack Cheng towards the second phase of the construction of the cross-country road, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves sought to allay fears that his government was flouting environmental concerns.

Dr Gonsalves said that the cross-country road project was one which the electorate had given his government a mandate to construct.{{more}}

He said that the road is necessary and desirable for the purpose of interconnection between the North West and North East of the country. He also said that the US $26 million project will be carried out with full regard for all the environmental considerations including the water supply.

“This project will in no way adversely affect the water supply on mainland St Vincent,” Dr Gonsalves said, adding that critics of the Government of this matter had distorted the Government’s position on the matter by claiming that the environmental impact was not being properly considered.

Dr Gonsalves said that an Environmental Cataloging Assessment of the general corridor where the road would be cut was done in 2003. He however explained that a specific environmental impact study could not be done until the draft design of the specific path for the road is completed.

He said that this study would be done by an independent firm. The digital mapping and environmental cataloging cost close to a million dollars to be completed.

Phase one of the project, the development of the inland road between Troumaca and Rose Hall, a distance of 2.9 km, was completed in November 2005, at a cost of approximately EC$6.5 million.

The design for this phase cost a further EC$0.5 million.

Phase two, a 1.9 kilometre road from Byrea to Ferguson Gap, is 40% completed and is expected to cost EC$4.7 million.

In addition to the main project, Dr Gonsalves explained that some other works are being done in the Byrea area, including the fixing of a gutter that has created a lot of problems for residents in the past and two pieces of road.

While phase two is ongoing, Dr Gonsalves said that work is being done on the actual design for the third phase of the project. A design contract was signed in November 2005 at a cost of EC$4.32 million and $1.08 million has been paid to the consultants to date.

“The topographic surveys have been completed, the geotechnical survey, field investigation have been completed for that connecting piece in the corridor between Ferguson and Rose Hall,” Dr Gonsalves said.

He said that the final draft route design should be completed by June this year.

Speaking at the cheque handing over ceremony, Ambassador Jack Cheng said that his country was committed to Dr Gonsalves and his projects.

Meanwhile Minister of Transport and Works Clayton Burgin said that the cross-country road will not just link the local population but will also be a boost for tourism and can spark economic activity in the communities it connects. (KJ)