The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

INSTALLATION of the guard railing on the newly built seawall at Smith’s Point has started.

The road has been closed to the public for the past two years due to construction and unsafe conditions to motorists.While installation is not yet complete, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works Iram Lewis said the second shipment of railing is on the way. “We are extremely happy that we are in the final stages of the project,” he said when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.

“Once they are on the island we will continue with the installation.” During a visit to the area on Monday, more than half of the railing has been installed on the seawall, starting at the eastern end of the settlement.In late December when The Tribune visited that area, residents said they were pleased with the seawall but were eager for the road to be reopened.

However, Mr Lewis at the time indicated that they were waiting for the arrival of the guard railing to ensure public safety to the motoring public, and asked the public for a little more patience. The Smith’s Point settlement is known for its weekly fish fry on Wednesdays.

Area residents are very eager for the road to be reopened, saying it is vital to their livelihood as many of them own and operate small bars and restaurants in the seaside community.

The $4.8 million seawall and road repaving project is being carried out by Waugh Construction. For many years, Smith’s Point has been exposed to coastal erosion, leaving the community vulnerable to storm surges during hurricanes. Residents living in the area are relieved that the seawall has been completed and that the community is now protected from any further erosion.

The seawall project is one of several capital works projects that is being undertaken by the government in Grand Bahama. In West Grand Bahama, the $6.5 million Fishing Hole causeway, the $25 million new government complex in Eight Mile Rock, and the construction of the new $12 million school in Holmes Rock are some of the other projects.

The new fishing hole causeway will resolve years of flooding issues at the narrow strip of road at Hawksbill Creek that connects Freeport and West Grand Bahama. Booths also have been built for fishermen and seafood vendors.All Bahamas Construction (ABC) company was awarded the contract under the former Christie administration in December 2015.

Top Notch Construction Company was awarded the $25million contract for the government complex in EMR. The new $12m Holmes Rock Junior High School project is under contract with Brickhouse Construction and RCL Construction.