Works and Utilities Minister Bradley Roberts made that announcement yesterday, while stressing that the repair work has already been identified for “speedy attention.”
According to the minister, the cost estimates for the repairs to the east bridge are between $5 million and $6 million; and for the west bridge, $2.5 million.
He said the Ministry is expected to go out to tender for such repairs shortly.
Minister Roberts also revealed plans to improve intersections in New Providence, among them the intersection at William and Shirley streets.
Voicing the concern of many motorists, Minister Roberts yesterday pointed out that when traveling south on William Street towards Shirley Street, the visibility is limited to traffic exiting onto the latter due to a concrete wall on the northeast corner.
He said consequently, vehicles overshoot the intersection in an unsafe manner in an attempt to access Shirley Street.
“The proposal to deal with the traffic issue at this intersection is to have the present boundary wall changed whereby the sight distance for motorists entering Shirley Street from William Street north will be enhanced, resulting in added safety to motorists,” Minister Roberts said.
“It will therefore be necessary to compulsorily acquire a small portion of the said property and proceed thereafter to have William Street realigned such as to form a proper four-way intersection. The design for the improvements is currently being completed.”
Minister Roberts made that announcement during the signing of a contract to enhance the intersection at Shirley and Mackey streets.
The project, which will cost in excess of $500,000, is a joint initiative between Kerzner International and the Ministry of Works.
It is expected to begin immediately and be completed within 90 days.
According to the minister, technical officers are also inventorying a number of other intersections for improvement in the “not too distant future.”
Those intersections include Fox Hill/Joe Farrington roads; Faith Avenue and Cowpen Road; East Street and Bamboo Boulevard, and Johnson Road and East Bay Street.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
