By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
AN overpass/bridge is expected to be constructed at flood-prone Fishing Hole Road from the $12.6m that is allocated for the Ministry of Grand Bahama in the upcoming fiscal year. It is believed that government will seek assistance from three industrial companies in the area to contribute towards building the bridge.
Flooding at the road has been an ongoing issue for years. The narrow causeway runs between Hawksbill Creek. Concerned residents and civic groups had previously called for a permanent solution and had agitated for a bridge to be built.
In October 2013, tidal surge and flooding during Hurricane Sandy washed away large portions of the road. Successive governments promised to address the issue and had undertaken studies with international engineering and consultant firms for a solution, but nothing had been done to resolve the problem for more than two decades.
A new fire station and new school in West Grand Bahama will also be constructed with the money allocated in the budget. However, it does not include the construction of a seawall, which was initially promised to residents at Smith’s Point where coastal erosion is a major concern.
The Tribune contacted Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville yesterday to get an update on the seawall and Fishing Hole Road projects but did not return a call up to press time. He announced last August that government would be commencing work on the projects.
Dr Darville led a team of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and Housing, Ministry of Works and Urban Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government and engineers from New Providence on a tour of the areas last year.
They also met residents at Smith’s Point to inform them of plans to build a seawall to stop the erosion there. Land along the southern shore in that community has been eroded by encroaching seas for many years.
Minister of Public Works and Urban Development Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, also visited the area and told residents recommendations have made for a 1,500 foot long cantilevered sheet piled wall with capping beam to be constructed at Smith’s Point. Mr Davis said the erosion is very aggressive and a seawall is warranted and long overdue.
It was also recommended that a six-foot wide sidewalk would be built at the top of the wall and three sections of steps to the beach would be provided along the wall’s length, with an access ramp for disabled persons.
The estimated cost of the project is between $1.5m and $2m, according to Mr Davis.
Dr Darville assured Smith’s Point residents that in the fiscal budget 2013/2014, they would have the resources to construct a seawall in the area. Last August, he said: “Smith’s Point is very important to our tourism business. Wednesday night is the legendary Smith’s Point Fish Fry, and a lot of our tourists flock to this area. For years there has been coastal erosion and we are committed in this particular term in office to give the residents of Smith’s Point the sea wall.”
Dr Darville told residents that government was serious about the project and had anticipated that within six weeks to two months they would have the initial drawings to show them for their further input and get the seawall out for tender.
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