$2.3M contract signed for road rehab from Hodge’s Creek to Paraquita Bay
The “significant” contract signing was done today, October 24, 2023, when Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) were part of the event.
Scope of work
The contract includes the development of 3813 linear feet of roadway, commencing from Hodge’s Creek Marina to Paraquita Bay.
Hon Rymer said, through a competitive and open bidding process, Northam Construction Ltd was awarded the contract to remove the existing roadway in the areas mentioned, construct new culverts, box drains, curb walls, slipper drains and short retaining walls.
He said Northam Construction Ltd will also be responsible for constructing over 1500 linear feet of sidewalk.
“The contractor will finally construct 3813 linear feet of concrete reinforced 6-inch thick roadway with road reserve and pavement into existing entrances.
“Also included in the contract is for the contractor to facilitate the installation of new water pipes along the route.”
Further, according to Hon Rymer, the contractor will be facilitating the installation of electrical conduits along the route for BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to continue the placement of its main transmission line below ground to provide resiliency during natural disasters such as hurricanes.
The Works Minister said the contractor, where necessary, will also work along with the telecommunication companies to adjust and upgrade any service lines and manholes within the reference route.
Project timeline is 6 mths
The expected timeline of the project is 6 months.
Mr Lorden Hamlet, Managing Director of Northam Construction Ltd, said the company was “eager and ready” to start the project and deliver on time and within budget.
Chief of Infrastructure, Planning, Research and Development in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr Duane A. Fraites commented that today’s contract signing marks a “significant event” for the Government and Ministry of Communications and Works, “as we are able to undertake comprehensive road reconstruction of our territory’s road network.”
Meanwhile, Hon Rymer asked for the patience of the general public, motorists, business owners, and residents, “particularly in this area, as well as other areas, and other persons who may be inconvenienced by these works, as we seek to reconstruct our roadways in a comprehensive manner that will stand up for decades.”
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37 Responses to “$2.3M contract signed for road rehab from Hodge’s Creek to Paraquita Bay”
Consequently, taxpayers and road users alike hope that this less than one(1) lane mile of road would be designed and constructed properly. As such, the subgrade should be tested, reconstructed if needed, adding limestone if needed to stabilize it, and proof-rolled. The subbase, if used, and base is properly laid. The asphalt surface course should have the specified ratio of binder and aggregate, applied at the proper minimum temperature and not laid in inclement weather. Further poor drainage is a major cause of premature road failure and deterioration. The common practice of laying asphalt on roadway as flat as a pancake should be discontinued. Surveyors or surveying technicians should be engaged to set a crown at the middle of the roadway and with a 2% cross slope to facilitate drainage across the road. Curb and gutter at the sides of the road must be effective in accepting the runoff from the road and conveying it to the rest of the drainage system. If the road is not designed with curb and gutter and instead has roadside ditches. These ditches must be properly designed and maintained to receive runoff and convey it to the other parts of the drainage system, ie, culverts, etc.One design I forget is the elevation of the road. If the road elevation is below the adjacent area, permitting run-on onto the roadway. If so the elevation of the road must be raised.
Every road plan and location is different. Nonetheless, on average, the cost to construct a lane mile of road is approximately $1M; the cost for reconstructing an existing mile of road costs more. Moreover, this contract seems a bit pricey. There are 5280 linear feet in a mile. This contract is for 3183 linear feet at a cost $2.3M. True, the BVI is a remote location and material and other imports will cost more. Nevertheless, the cost to taxpayers must be fair and reasonable. Did government had a Government Estimate (GE) on this project and if so was the GE consistent with this winning bid??
V/r
Manda School Graduate
The contractor has to do all of the following
1. remove the existing roadway
2. install new water pipes along the route
3.construct new culverts,
4 box drains,
5. curb walls,
6. slipper drains
7 build short retaining walls
8. work along with the telecommunication companies to adjust and upgrade any service lines and manholes within the reference route.
9. 1500 linear feet of sidewalk.
10, 3813 linear feet of concrete reinforced 6-inch thick roadway with road reserve and pavement into existing entrances.
11. Whatever other miscellaneous task that will arise during the construction process
And trust me there will be unforeseen issues that will arise when working in and environment so close to the sea.
And all of this over a road way with a high water table that will affect the construction process.
To me this job is underpriced if you ask me. But i wish the contractor well and a hassle free construction process. Blessings
Is Northam going to lower the high water table.Hmmm it cannot do anything about the sea. Is lowering the water table part of the contract? Is raising the road base part of the contract. And if no, the lifecycle of the road is going to be short lived. The taxpayers and road users are shafted again, throwing good money at bad. Who designs and constructs a road into a high water table?