University Hospital Main Road Being Resurfaced

The National Works Agency (NWA) is currently managing an $80 million rehabilitation project, which is being carried out on the main access road inside the compound of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

The project is funded by public and private sector agencies, including: Petrojam, the National Water Commission, Carib Cement, General Paving, Surrey Paving and Aggregates, Y.P. Seaton and Associates, McKenzie Quarry, Hill Run Quarry, Chin’s Construction, Dwight’s Construction, and Build Rite Construction Limited.

NWA Communications Manager, Stephen Shaw told JIS News that the project involves the rehabilitation of 1.4km of roadway, and the car parks adjacent to the Maternity and Paediatric Wards.

“It’s a one month project that involves the placement of curb walls to assist in proper drainage of the road, milling or the removal of asphalt, a small amount of base work and resurfacing of the roadwork structure,” he explained.

He added that work on the project had begun early this month and is ahead of the scheduled completion date.

“Once the work has been completed, the hospital should not have to do any major work on this road for at least another 20 years,” he said.

Medical Chief of Staff of the UHWI, Dr. Trevor McCartney explained that the project has been made possible through donations of manpower, material, and equipment provided by the entities which responded to the call for assistance.

Dr. McCartney expressed appreciation for the assistance, noting that the rehabilitation had become necessary based on the deterioration of the road’s sub-structure.

He added that it was done largely through the support of the Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies who had invited Port Authority Chief Executive Officer, Professor Gordon Shirley to spearhead a committee aimed at sourcing the funding for the project.

The Medical Chief of Staff said the work would put a stop to the discomfort of patients who had to traverse the roadway, as well as motorists who found it challenging to negotiate the damaged roadway.

He said the rehabilitation is a welcome boost to the hospital’s image as the island’s premier medical training facility.