File: Some of the damaged roads from last October are expected to be fixed. Photo: VINO

The roads identified will have asphalt overlying which is hoped to endure harsh weather conditions in the future.

At the signing ceremony held today, Friday February 4, 2011 in the Premier’s conference room, Premier Honourable Ralph T O’Neal stated that he was pleased that a local contractor, Mark Simmonds of BVI Paving, was hired to execute the project.

The road network project is estimated to cost Government approximately $15M, and areas identified for phase one include portions of roads in Virgin Gorda especially in The Valley, Cane Garden Bay to Road Town over Joe’s Hill; the road in the vicinity of the Jehovah Witness Church in Hunthums Ghut to Great Mountain, Brewers Bay and the Sea Cows Bay area.

Phase two will see road repairs from the Queen Elizabeth Park Bridge to H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

Hon. O’Neal, who skimmed through the documents before signing, stated that Mr. Simmonds was the only contractor who had the tools to do the job effectively.

The contract for the road repairs was signed this morning by contractor Mark Simmonds (second left), with Premier Ralph ONeal and Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser RA. Photo: VINO

“I consider it a very important contract as we have to make sure that at least the major roads are in good condition for the residents and tourists to use, after the storms and floods we endured…I have travelled from Long Bay to Balsum Ghut and all the roads in these communities were badly damaged,” Premier O’Neal stated.

In the latter part of 2010, the Territory’s roads were battered due to Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Otto – their passages left many roads in disrepair, and Government being bashed for the slow pace in repairing the damage roads.

In light of this, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Julian Fraser RA is positive that Mr. Simmonds will get the job done. The contract is worth $1,970,980.

Minister Fraser noted that Mr. Simmonds has a wealth of knowledge and has worked closely with the Florida Department Highway staff.  The Minister also disclosed that an expert was called in to liaise with Mr. Simmonds’ team to ensure that top notch job is done as well as to ensure long term durability.

“We are spending $3M overlying roads on Tortola and Virgin Gorda and we need to get value for money,” Minister Fraser noted.

The money for the project will come from the consolidated funds, Minister Fraser added, with additional funding coming from a Caribbean Development Bank loan. The loan being sought is in the average between $13M and $15M.

According to the contractor, phase one of the project will be completed in two and  a half weeks, and according to him, he hopes that Government will be pleased with the project when completed.