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.
