Bidding process begins for New jetty in Chateaubelair

The bidding process for the construction of a new jetty in Chateaubelair commenced on January 18, and it is expected that a contract for its construction will be signed by April 19, 2019.

“The contract will be advertised regionally… and by second quarter we should be starting something,” Minister of Transport and Works Julian Francis told Parliament on Tuesday.

Francis said the contract for the design and construction supervision of the jetty was awarded to DLM Consultants of Barbados, the same entity that did the design for the Nelson Mandela Highway.

He noted that on April 10, 2018, US$256,000 for the design work and US$295,000 for the supervision (pending satisfactory performance from the design works) was agreed upon and the final designs are complete.

Francis said the replacement jetty will provide 410 square metres of deck compared to 290 square metres that existed before.

The jetty will have an increased maximum berthing depth from two metres to five metres, as well as roll on roll off capabilities (which the previous jetty did not have).

Francis also noted that there will be a separate low landing deck for fishing boats located 1.3 metres above sea level (that did not exist before), while the deck will be two metres above sea level. The jetty will have deck lights for night time operation, a water supply line and an electricity supply. It will also be capable of future expansion for both ferry and fishing vessels.

On Tuesday, Member of Parliament for North Leeward Roland Matthews noted that the jetty and other infrastructure in Chateaubelair, for example, the bridge at Sharps Park, were in dire need of repair.