Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, and Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. CEO, Stuart Layne, displaying a drawing of the finished project. (A. Reid/BGIS)
On completion,Phase 3 of the Constitution River Project is expected to alleviate flooding in the Halls Road, St. Michael area.
Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, listed this as one of the benefits to be gained, at the ground-breaking ceremony for the project this morning at the site near the James A. Tudor (Globe) Roundabout.
“It has taken a lot of planning. What the project is doing is similar to the first two phases…it is looking at the channel capacity, it is addressing drainage issues and looking at water quality issues,” Ms. Caddle explained.
The project, which is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and executed by the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc., aims to eradicate water borne vectors, as mosquitoes will be unable to breed in the channel because of marine life and salinity of the water.
It will also focus on improving the water quality, as there will be exchange of and dilution of any existing pollutants by the volume of sea water inflows; beautifying the river banks and environs; as well as reducing flooding in the adjacent communities of Halls Road and Ellis Village.
The Minister said that it was a “very important” project for the Halls Road community, which has been affected by flooding for many years as a result of drainage issues, as well as by challenges related to mosquito vectors, and maintaining the sanitation and cleanliness of the area.
“One of the exciting things about the project is that once we have finished the major workspaces, and we start the landscaping and so on… we’re bringing one of the building blocks projects. We’re building what we call the Halls Road Commercial Village, a series of kiosks that are going to be along the embankment, and that are going to give opportunities to entrepreneurs in this area.
“That for me, apart from the drainage and the berthing for small craft that is also going to be a part of the project – that is going to be located on the Queen’s Park side – is the real added value for this project,” Ms. Caddle emphasised.
Phase 3 of the Constitution River Drainage Improvement Project is expected to be completed in 18 months, and will see construction works carried out between the Constitution Road Bridge and the James A. Tudor Roundabout.
sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb
Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle turning the soil to start the Project.
