Government’s new $6M asphalt plant faces another setback, but island-wide paving efforts push forward
Motorists can look forward to smoother roads as paving crews hit the streets today, beginning work in the Heron Bay area. Public Works Minister Lt. Col. David Burch provided an on-site update on the island-wide paving initiative and the timeline for the Government’s new asphalt plant.
Although the Government’s $6 million asphalt plant is unlikely to be operational until next year, Minister Burch assured that ongoing roadworks will not be delayed.
On Middle Road, crews began paving the stretch between Camp Hill and Longford Road. The project is expected to conclude by Friday, February 21st, with rolling lane closures in effect to facilitate the work.
Minister Burch explained that paving efforts are being coordinated with BELCO’s trenching schedule.
“We’re tired of waiting, and so is the public,” he said. “What we’re doing is paving the northern lane all the way to just east of Longford Hill, where we finished before Christmas. BELCO will start doing pull holes this Saturday near Warwick Pond, and by the time we’re finished, we should be able to come behind them and pave the other lane.”
If that’s not the case, Minister Burch emphasized that other areas needing urgent attention will take priority.
“We’ve not done any paving in the West. We’ve done a lot in the East, so we’re trying to strike a balance,” he said. “At the beginning of next month, Scaur Hill will come online, and the road there will need paving. We’re also looking at extending paving in Scaur and addressing other areas as we go along.”
The Ministry of Public Works received a $5 million allocation last year to address Bermuda’s deteriorating roads—nearly doubling the previous budget.
Minister Burch confirmed that two-thirds of the funds have already been spent, with the remainder expected to be used up soon.
Meanwhile, the new asphalt plant that Government purchased to accelerate repairs, faces delays due to challenges at the quarry site.
“The plant is probably not going to be operational for another year,” Minister Burch explained. “That’s the clear indication as a result of a number of factors, not the least which is we’re having challenges at the site at the quarry. There are a number of caves there that we need to inspect and evaluate and figure out how environmentally we can build the foundation of the plant and still maintain the cave. So that’s delayed the process somewhat. The equipment should be coming over the next several months. We expect to put it into service as it comes.”
Despite the delay with the new plant, Minister Burch said he is not concerned as current paving efforts remain unaffected.
“The plant is operating, producing asphalt as you can see,” he said. “We’ve hired private contractors for trucking, which also helps the economy. So, yeah, we’re in business.”
Minister Burch urged motorists to slow down and exercise caution around work crews as paving continues.
The current Middle Road project will take place on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with traffic controls in place to ensure safety.
