NEWS INFORM 17/05/2017

HAITI
Haiti - Europe : 45.3M for the construction of section RN3 - Hinche / Saint-
Raphal
21/04/2017 09:43:45
Haiti - Europe : 45.3M for the construction of section RN3 - Hinche / Saint-
Raphal Thursday at the National Palace, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant
and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
Neven Mimica initialed an agreement worth 45.3 million Euros for the
construction of the section of the road Nationale No 3 (RN3) connecting Hinche
and Saint Raphal. The RN3 starts from Croix-des-Bouquets, then goes to
Hinche, arriving at Cap-Hatien via Saint-Raphal.
The works, whose laying of the foundation stone will take place by next May,
will last 2 years and will be executed jointly by the Haitian firm Vorbe et Fils and
the French firm Razel BEC.
On the sidelines of this signing, the Head of Government welcomed the
European Union's aid, in particular for the mobilization of additional funds of 35
million Euros following Hurricane Matthew, as well as the disbursement of 14.5
million Euros in the form of budgetary support for the consolidation of the
Haitian State.
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20721-haiti-europe-453m-for-the-
construction-of-section-rn3-hinche-saint-raphael.html
The Case for Building Roads in Haiti (GENERAL Information, road context)
05/04/2017 12:05 pm ET
Working out the costs for the 83km road is fairly straightforward, based on
large-scale studies from across the world. Each kilometer of road would cost
$300,000 per kilometer in studies, $1.5 million in construction, and $375,000 in
maintenance. The total cost would be 16.5 billion gourdes, or $238 million.
The benefits would be manifold. Right now, the average speed of traffic in the
area is just 30 kilometers per hour. After the new road is built that will climb to
70 kilometers per hour. People and cargo will move more swiftly. It will save
time and money: Dr. Sauveur calculates the time-saved for people will be worth
716 million gourdes to the Haitian economy, and for goods it will be worth 11
billion gourdes.
There will be other benefits. Currently, there are around 320 accidents. Dr.
Sauveur estimates that they will nearly halve, thanks to the new road. Put into
monetary terms, this will mean annual savings to Haiti of 7.2 billion gourdes
($104 million).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-case-for-building-roads-in-
haiti_us_590b48b0e4b0f711807241f2
SAINT LUCIA
Construction of new access road to Dennery School Complex
Press Release
April 26, 2017
PRESS RELEASE The public is hereby informed that the main access road into
the Dennery Primary School and the Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary
School will be closed from Wednesday April 26, 2017 in order to facilitate the
construction of a new access road into the school complex.
Construction works are expected to commence on Wednesday April 26, 2017
and be completed by July 28, 2017.
The public is advised to use alternative routes such as Mole Road (the road
adjacent to the cemetery) and Victory Street, to access the schools. No
pedestrian access will be allowed through the site during this period.
The Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy wishes to apologise for any
inconvenience this may cause.
https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/construction-of-new-access-road-to-
dennery-school-complex/
St Lucia minister called on to answer bribery allegations (General in the field of
road construction there)
Published on May 5, 2017
CASTRIES, St Lucia -- Saint Lucias current minister for economic development,
housing, urban renewal, transport and civil aviation, Guy Joseph has again been
called on to answer long-standing allegations of bribery and personal
enrichment when in office during a previous United Workers Party (UWP)
administration between 2006 and 2011.
The renewed focus on these allegations appears to have been triggered by
remarks made by Joseph in parliament recently, accusing opposition St Lucia
Labour Party (SLP) members of various misdeeds while in office, drawing a
retort from one opposition member that he would respond to Joseph when he
(Joseph) answered the prior allegations against him.
One contract to rehabilitate the Babonneau Highway in Saint Lucia was valued
at EC$12.24 million (US$4.5 million), while the other to rehabilitate the
Desruisseaux Road was valued at EC$10.55 million (US$3.9 million).
Both contracts were later revealed to be significantly overpriced.
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-St-Lucia-minister-called-on-to-
answer-bribery-allegations-34333.html

Ministry of Infrastructure to Start Road Rehabilitation Program

Frebruary 14th 2017
Efforts are being made to improve the condition of the roads within the short to
medium term, the minister said.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labor will soon commence
construction work on the islands roads.
The Road Rehabilitation Program will involve the resurfacing, and in some
instances the reconstruction of roads throughout the island.
I am aware that the populace is anxious, some are angry, yet others are
tolerant and have understood the circumstances, said Hon. Stephenson King,
the Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labor.
May I use this opportunity to appeal to the motoring public and the population
at large to bear some patience and exercise caution on the roads, as every
effort is being made to bring a measure of resolution within the short to
medium term ahead of the new financial year.
https://stluciatimes.com/2017/02/14/ministry-infrastructure-start-road-
rehabilitation-program

TURKS AND CAICOS

Alternative Blue Hills road faces significant delay
Mon, Apr 10, 2017
By Olivia Rose
THE CONSTRUCTION of an alternate route out of Blue Hills is currently stalled
due to a land acquisition issue.
The Blue Hills alternative road is expected to address the traffic congestion at
the Blue Hills roundabout in Providenciales.
The project will see the development of three connecting roads joining
Millennium Highway with Blue Hills Bay Road and the development of an
alternative road from Millennium Highway into Downtown or Airport Road.
Updating the media on Tuesday (April 4) on the status of the project Minister of
Infrastructure Goldray Ewing revealed that due to a land acquisition delay the
project was temporality halted.
He explained: "This is a very important and necessary road to be put in place,
simply because its not just to take care of heavy traffic during rush hours, it is
an emergency road that will move people out of the Blue Hills settlement into
Downtown with the greatest of speed and less hassle.
"This road is budgeted for in two phases in the 2017/2018 budget, but
unfortunately there will be some significant delay because where the road is
scheduled to go, the pathway will require land acquisition to be done.
http://tcweeklynews.com/alternative-blue-hills-road-faces-significant-delay-
p7795-127.htm

BARBADOS
Arawak Cement Company to build concrete roads
Added by Emmanuel Joseph on March 27, 2017.
Arawak Cement Company is to begin work next month on a concrete road in a
bid to convince Government to move away from asphalt to concrete surfaces.
General Manager Manuel Toro said the company would construct 200 to 300
metres of road leading to its Checker Hall, St Lucy plant.
We expect to start building that road next month. It is going to be a pilot just
to test the condition of the road, the life cycle of the road, the cost compared
with the other alternatives, and then we will communicate that to the
authorities and the Government to see that this is possible to do, the cement
company boss told Barbados TODAY.
Toro said Arawak Cement had discussed the subject with Minister of Transport
and Works Michael Lashley, who offered to have the ministry work closely with
the cement company on the project.
He said tenders would go out shortly inviting bids from local contractors, some
of whom had been trained last year in Nicaragua and Panama at the facilities of
Arawaks new owner, CEMEX.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/03/27/arawak-cement-company-to-build-
concrete-roads/

Wrong road
Construction workers unhappy with amended contract
on May 15, 2017.
Close to 100 workers at Rotherley Construction downed tools Monday morning,
in protest against changes to their terms of work.
The unionized workers, who are represented by the Barbados Workers Union
(BWU), gathered outside the companys Warrens, St Michael headquarters
around 9 a.m. demanding immediate clarification of the terms set out in their
new employment contracts.
At issue are new minimum work standards and volumes attached to the daily
rate of pay.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/05/15/wrong-road-8/

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

MARCH 8TH
St. Vincent & The Grenadines Receive Funding from Taiwan for Road Project
Taiwan has donated $200,000 for the second phase of the road rehabilitation
project in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Ambassador Baushuan Ger of the Republic of China (Taiwan) handed over to
Prime Minister, Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves last December 2016 the cheque of
$200,000 for the project involving the Majorca feeder road in Marriaqua and
Java road and river defense in South Rivers.
Work is scheduled to start this 2017.
The government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), taking note of
the severe damages of the said roads and river defense during the April 2011
and December 2013 floods, had previously contributed more than $608,000 in
July 2014, for the first phase of the rehabilitation project.

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

Public Works Undertaking Several Projects
Published: 16 May 2017
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Activities being undertaken by the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure have been highlighted by Minister Ian Patches Liburd, as the
country observes Public Works Week.
In an address to the nation, the minister made reference to projects being done
by Public Works, as well as those about to commence, including the proposed
second pier at Port Zante.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure through its Public Works Department is
currently playing a leading role in several of the governments capital projects
which are currently underway including a study and design for the stabilization
of the hill slopes in Old Road Bay, the installation of traffic lights in key
junctions in Basseterre, the construction of the East Bus Terminal at Wellington
Road, construction of the new Basseterre High School at Ponds Estate, the
design of the new Sandy Point Police station and Court House, the construction
of the new cruise pier at Port Zante just to name a few.
Public Works Minister Liburd praised the staff of the department for work well
done, while acknowledging that there is room for improvement.
As the Minister of Public infrastructure I proudly salute and thank the hundreds
of employees and professionals who work tirelessly throughout the country
everyday to strengthen the network that keeps us all connected, safe and
healthy. I will concede however that there is room for improvement in the
delivery of the services we offer to you the public, but I am confident that over
the past two years we have seen some improvement in the performance of the
Public Works Department and the Ministry of Infrastructure and we will
continue to work hard to further improve.
https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/22061-public-works-undertaking-several-
projects
BAHAMAS

Summer road construction to be less 'downtown-focused' this year: Robinson

construction season.
Published Monday, April 10, 2017 11:16AM EDT
The city plans to spend nearly $700 million on road, sewer and watermain work
this year but unlike in 2016, most of the work will take place outside the
downtown core.
During last years construction season there was an unusual number of projects
concentrated in downtown Toronto due to the deferral of needed work during
the 2015 Pan American Games but this year the city says that the construction
will not be nearly as downtown-focused.
In 2017, there will 58 projects involving major roads -- 20 downtown and 38 in
other parts of the city. While we understand that construction is very frustrating
it also demonstrates that we are investing in the future of Toronto, Public
Works Chair Jaye Robinson told reporters on Monday. We need to upgrade our
infrastructure and be ready to support growth taking place currently.
http://www.cp24.com/news/summer-road-construction-to-be-less-downtown-
focused-this-year-robinson-1.3362278

PUERTO RICO
Inversin millonaria en asfalto sin control de calidad (INTERESANTE PARA
NEGOCIO)
La agencia no corrobora el material que utilizan las empresas que contrata
para pavimentar las calles del Pas
lunes, 15 de mayo de 2017 - 8:00 AM
La Autoridad de Carreteras y Transportacin (ACT), encargada de las
principales y, por lo tanto, ms costosas obras de infraestructura vial, no
realiza pruebas -o lo hace de manera poco frecuente- para corroborar la calidad
del asfalto que compra.
A la misma vez, esta corporacin pblica ha descansado en la informacin que
le proveen los contratistas sobre la calidad del asfalto que utilizan, datos
determinantes para la evaluacin y eventual aceptacin de los proyectos y, por
lo tanto, lo que asegura el pago a los licitadores.
Aunque la ACT tiene distintos mecanismos de control y supervisin, as como
personal educado y adiestrado, una investigacin de El Nuevo Da hall grietas
no solo en las carreteras por las que transit el equipo investigativo, sino
tambin en el control del asfalto que las recubre. Los protocolos de muestreo
y monitoreo se crearon para garantizar que la mezcla asfltica que se usa en
los proyectos que contrata la ACT cumpla con las especificaciones de calidad y
diseo para que tenga una vida til de entre ocho a 10 aos.
http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/carreterashaceinversionmillon
ariaenasfaltosincontroldecalidad-2321074/

DTOP regin de Ponce no tiene fondos para proyectos

Por Reinaldo Milln / Para Primera Hora
05/11/2017
El ms reciente informe de la oficina de la Contralora, Yesmn Valdivieso Galib,
expuso la situacin.
La crisis fiscal ha dejado sin fondos para proyectos a la regin de Ponce del
Departamento de Obras Pblicas de acuerdo con el ms reciente informe de la
oficina de la Contralora, Yesmn.
De acuerdo con la informacin provista el 6 de octubre de 2016 por el entonces
director regional, Mximo A. Snchez Soldevila, se identificaron 451 proyectos
de construccin y de mejoras permanentes por $84,974,908 necesarios para
mejorar la seguridad y las condiciones de las carreteras estatales en los 10
municipios que componen la Oficina Regional.
La contralora indic que se trata de 96 proyectos por $52,978,2732 para la
repavimentacin y reconstruccin de carreteras, 355 proyectos por
$31,996,6353 para la construccin de cunetones, aceras, encintados, muros de
contencin, instalacin de barreras de seguridad, mejoras pluviales y
reconstruccin de puentes, entre otros.
http://www.primerahora.com/suroeste/noticias/gobierno-
politica/nota/dtopregiondeponcenotienefondosparaproyectos-1223208/