Ministry to Improve Road Infrastructure in Portland

Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, has said that the Ministry will be working to improve road infrastructure in Portland, including constructing a new bridge to replace the old Alligator Church Bridge, and rehabilitating access roads to farm.
He informed that the National Works Agency is to submit a report regarding the replacement of the Alligator Church Bridge.
“I went up there with the National Works Agency on Tuesday (Dec. 30) and I have asked for a report in relation to it. I have asked for the cost of the bridge and I have asked them to measure the road and to let me know what can be done,” he said.
The Minister was addressing a function held yesterday (Dec. 31) for survivors and families of the victims of the December 19 road crash in the Dam Bridge community of the Rio Grande Valley. The function, held at the Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, was hosted by Valley Hikes, a non governmental organisation in Portland, which seeks to promote sustainable tourism in the parish.
Mr. Henry had said late last year that construction of a new bridge to replace the old Alligator Church Bridge was a priority for the Ministry.
In addition to the bridge project, the Minister pledged to “make every effort to see what we can do in terms of your access roads for your produce, in order that your industriousness can continue and to flourish.”
“We are going to try to improve the situation but the demands are great, but we are going to make every effort,” he stated, noting that, “I have already ordered that the wall be constructed where the truck went down.”
Meanwhile, the Minister expressed condolence to the families of the 14 persons, who were killed in the road tragedy.
“The Government cares about what took place, we are concerned. We regret what took place …and we are asking the families who have lost loved ones not to give up,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Board Chairman of Valley Hikes, Joy Douglas, in expressing sorrow at the tragedy, informed that the organisation will be donating $10,000 towards the cost of the funeral arrangements.
“It is just a small token, just $10,000, but it is our little way in showing support for the grief that you have experienced,” Miss Douglas said.
Leon Palmer, who lost family members in the crash, expressed his appreciation for the assistance they have been receiving.
“We, the people from the Rio Grande Valley, certainly appreciate whatever the Government and other people on a whole are doing for us,” he stated.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Government and private sector groups have extend support to family members, including the provision of some $120,000 to each family by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to help offset funeral expenses. The money will be paid directly to the funeral homes.
Another $25,000 cash grant will be paid to each family of the deceased to go towards funeral preparations and other expenses.
A fund called ‘A Helping Hand for the Children of Portland’s Rio Grande Valley’ has also been established to help the children left behind. Contributions to the fund can be made to the National Commercial Bank current account #351 077 328.