For weeks we have been reporting on Cemetery Road near pound yard bridge - which is in a disastrous state.
Well, it remains that way tonight but the MIDH started working today - not on cemetery road - but at the start of the George Price Highway near the entrance to the city.
We spoke to the Chief Engineer about the plan:
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer - MIDH
"Soh the work that we're doing on the George Price Highway between the Central American Boulevard and Partridge Street is basically to do some periodic maintenance work that was long overdue. We were supposed to do those works at least on 1 to 2 months ago. But because we had the contractor that we wanted to work with working on the Haulover bridge, we did not have the time. And then we also had some rains that delayed us from doing those works. So what we're doing now is basically just to rectify that pavement failure that we had between the roundabout and Partridge Street, on both sides of the carriageway, and to try and get that built by the end of this week."
In the interim - on Thursday and Friday, drivers are asked to use Vernon Street when entering or departing the city.
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer - MIDH
"Yes, that is what we have recommended in the press notice that I've sent out, for motorists to utilize either Vernon Street near the cemetery or also Western Avenue. But that will only be just for Thursday and Friday, because during that time we will be working in one single lane at a time and then thereafter shift traffic."
"But because we want to complete the pavement as soon as possible, we will ask that motorists divert to those two streets on Thursday and Friday."
And while they're fixing it now - will it be a long term solution?
Jules Vasquez
"Now, this has been a trouble spot over many years and you will be familiar with it. Is there anything you can do to give it up a long term fix?"
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer - MIDH
"Yes. So the ministry has looked into that as well. And the reason why we've had some delays within that section is because of the stresses of the busses that will look at those bus lay-by's. And as you are aware, the surface dressing that we've been using is a double surface dressing court, which is basically just two layers of stone. So what we're basically doing though, is to apply the hotmix asphalt to that section to give it a more long term fix for that portion of the highway."
