New Amsterdam Infrastructural works 85 percent complete

Berbice: The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council has undertaken major Infrastructural works on two streets within the township, at a cost of over three million dollars.

Last phase of works being conducted by members of the Errol. W. Angel Construction Service, at Middle Street, M&TC Housing Scheme

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday, the supervisor of the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council Engineer’s Department, Charles Johnson, disclosed that the infrastructural projects currently undertaken by the Municipality are 85 percent to complete.

According to Johnson, a contract was signed between the New Amsterdam M&TC and the Errol. W. Angel Construction Service, to rehabilitate the street at Lot 38 Stanleytown. He said, the 115-metre-long by 2.13-metre-wide project is being done at a cost of $1.2 Million and will be completed on February 21.

The Head of the engineer’s department explained that over at Middle Street in the Mayor and Town Council’s Housing Scheme, the construction company was also granted some $2.3 Million to construct that roadway.  Johnson said residents will be able to traverse the new 211-metre-long by 3.5-metre-wide concrete surface by February 23.

He further highlighted that projects at both locations are in their final phase. “The works are being done simultaneously and we want long-lasting results. The first phase saw foundation works being done. It was dug to about 18 inches and was filled with reef and white sand and crusher-run. By the deadlines, which are quickly approaching, the streets will have their asphaltic surfaces and commuters will be in for a smooth ride,” Johnson told the DPI.

Residents accessing these streets daily are excited and anticipate the date for the finishing touches. “I am very grateful because drivers will no longer be able to say they are not coming in ‘that crack’, especially when I have heavy things to juggle. The Town Council is working, the Mayor is working and all we have to do is upkeep the roads,” one self-employed resident remarked.

Another resident, Jason Chisholm who has resided for over eight years at Middle Street, in the M&TC Housing Scheme, said the new path “will be of great benefit to me and my family because I will not have walk in huge holes full of mud anymore… I can also call the taxi and they will come right to my house.”

Meanwhile, New Amsterdam Town Clerk Sharon Alexander, speaking with the Department of Public Information, assured that the municipality will continue to work for the citizens of the town. Alexander said these projects are just the beginning of the numerous improvements ahead.

Additionally, the street located at Lot 39 Stanleytown was rehabilitated; while the another at Lot 50 Stanleytown is currently under construction. Both locations received road upgrades, compliments of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.