$1.6 Billion for Gustav Rehabilitation Works

The Government has set aside $1.6 billion in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure, to carry out Tropical Storm Gustav rehabilitation works during the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
This project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Works, aims to rehabilitate, restore and protect critical sections of physical infrastructure in the island, to improve flood mitigation.
The allocation will be used to continue drainage rehabilitation works in the Kingston Metropolitan Area; complete the remaining five per cent drainage rehabilitation works; facilitate consolidated fund payment, and finalise project accounts.
Up to March 2010, some 35 contract packages have been completed, as well as 95 per cent of the drainage rehabilitation works in the KMA.
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is putting up the major portion of the funding for the project, in the sum of $1.5 billion. The project is set for completion in March 2011.
Meanwhile, just over $1 billion has been allocated to continue widening of the Washington Boulevard corridor in the new fiscal year. Specifically, the construction of the boundary fences and relocation of utilities are to be completed, as well as 90 per cent of the civil works.
Already, a project management unit has been established and all 37 parcels of land acquired to facilitate civil works, while the pre-qualification of contractors has been completed, as well as the tender evaluation for the civil works contracts, and the awarding of such contracts.
The widening of this major corridor is intended to enhance productivity, by reducing economic loss caused by traffic jams; and the high fuel consumption caused by congestion. The project aims to bring about noticeable improvement in the travel time for public transportation and motorists; improve the carrying capacity of the corridor; and improve safety by reducing conflict points.