Transport Ministry Satisfied with Road Repair Work in Portland

State Minister for Transport and Works, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of road rehabilitation work being carried out in Portland, following the passage of Hurricane Ivan.

Dr. Ferguson, who was speaking to the media following a tour of hurricane-affected areas in eastern and western sections of the parish on September 27, said he was impressed with the efforts of the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Portland Parish Council to rehabilitate the damaged roadways.

Among the areas visited were Mahoe, Bangor Ridge, Port Antonio, Stony Hill, Long Bay, Manchioneal and Hardware Gap.

Most of the roads in the parish have been spared significant damage, but many were rendered impassable by fallen trees, landslides and breakaways as a result of the onslaught of the hurricane.

The NWA and the Parish Council have been collaborating on the repair effort and most of the roads have been rehabilitated to the point where they are at least able to accommodate single lane traffic.

Dr. Ferguson noted that Portland appeared to be in general good condition given the devastation caused to other parishes by the hurricane, and commended the people of the parish for the positive way in which they had responded to the challenges with which they had been confronted.