Public Works budget includes 8 full-time lifeguards, public water supply improvements, & more
Repairing our roads is a priority – but there’s only so much can be done until the new asphalt plant comes online in 2026.
This from newly-minted Minister of Public Works and Environment, Jache Adams, as he laid out this year’s budget priorities for his ministry
The Minister said the budget commits $5 million towards repairing and resurfacing roads across the island, and adds that the funding “also includes the purchase of new drainage equipment… thereby reducing flood risks during heavy rainfall.”
The first shipment of new road paving equipment is set to arrive in two weeks, which “will allow our teams to resurface roads faster and to a much higher standard.”
The Opposition has responded that the $5 million towards roads is not enough.
Former Minister Lt. Colonel David Burch previously said it would cost $100 million to bring all of our poorest roads up to standard.
Minister Adams, however, told media that money isn’t the problem.
“More money doesn’t make things operate any quicker”, he said, “because we’re still operating with an old asphalt plant.”
“When that new asphalt plant arives, I think the residents of the country will see vast improvement, not only in the quality… but the output, and how quickly we’ll be able to repave the roads.”
“We anticipate to have the asphalt plant fully operational in the first quarter of next year.”
Meanwhile, $800 thousand have been committed to hiring eight full time lifeguards, and extending beach monitoring through the off-season.
Government has partnered with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to modernise training, pay and job structure.
Asked whether overseas lifeguards may be brought in to augment the local team, Minster Adams said, “the first intent is to have local investment and lifeguards on island.”
“However, absent of that, recognising the importance of having quality lifeguards on island, we’re prepared to reach out overseas if necessary.”
$3.8 million will be spent this year on the design and planning for replacing Swing Bridge in St George’s – with future construction costs estimated at around $50-to-$60 million.
More than a million will be used to refurbish Government-owned water tanks that store public supply.
$600 thousand will enhance National Parks, and another $400 thousand will be used to strengthen seawalls and reinforce coastal buffers in the face of climate change.
Minister Adams said, “each of these initiatives, whether it’s fixing a road, replacing a bridge, hiring lifeguards, or restoring a water tank, is part of a larger mission – to serve the people of Bermuda and secure our island’s future.”
