Engineering challenges have led to extended road closures in the Maroon Hill area as rehabilitation works face more complex conditions than originally anticipated.
During a live update by the Agency for Public Information (API), Project Engineer Cecil Harry explained that slope instability on a section of the road has been more problematic than expected, forcing engineers to reassess their approach.
"The slope has proven to be more unstable than we anticipated and we have now revised our design approach on this section of road. We are already engaged in that design revision, and we should be providing an alternative to the contractor by the end of next week. In the meantime, we have upgraded the Lula Cotton Ground Road bypass road. It's seventy-five percent (75%) complete within the next three (3) days or so we should have that section repaired barring no rain and the public would be advised to use that road on a continuous basis. We would try to our best to see when we can reopen this section of road, but safety is first and paramount."
Motorists are now advised to use the Lula–Cotton Ground Road or the Windward Highway until further notice.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture and Parliamentary Representative for the area, Saboto Caesar, is urging road users to cooperate with engineers and remain patient as work continues.
Minister Caesar stressed that while the alternative routes may be longer, public safety must remain a priority.
"And we are here to address a major landslide which took place in the early hours of this morning. It is very important that we cooperate with the engineers, it is very important that we understand and that we appreciate the fact that we have to put safety first. It is an issue whereby there are some persons who are concerned about the length of driving around through Lula or even utilizing Windward the highway, but it is something we have to as we address this issue that we have to ensure safety is dealt with as a matter of first importance."
SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio)
