CATEGORY: CONSTRUCTION
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By Trevor Thwaites (St.George's correspondent)

ST. GEORGE, Grenada: Almost a month after signing the contract, work has commenced on the second phase of the Bridges and Road Improvement Project (BRIMP). Communications and Works Minister the Hon Clarice Modeste Curwen and Minister of Agriculture, Lands Forestry and Fisheries the Hon Gregory Bowen turned the sod last week Monday morning (May 22, 2006) to commence work on the Green Bridge. The work on the bridge close to the National Stadium marks the official start of the $35million project.

The rebuilding of the Beausejour and Tempe Bridges and the improvement of the road network from the Tempe Bridge up Marrast Hill to the round about, down Lowthers Layne onto the bottom round about at Tanteen comprise BRIMP 2, which officials say would be completed before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Communications and Works Minister the Hon Clarice Modeste Curwen assured the media that the project is not happening because of the world cup, but because of government’s plans to maintain a good road infrastructure – one that safe and reliable.

“The conception of this bridge did not happen when we were selected to host matches in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. It was conceptualized and designs began long before. We examined the Green Bridge and several others nation wide and determined that they had outlived their useful life and were fast approaching the phase where they would be deemed unsafe for travel. Government saw it as extremely important to rebuild bridges so as to protect lives and health,” Curwen told reporters.

However, the minister noted that BRIMP2 also serves as a catalyst for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. “We are very happy to be chosen as a venue for world cup 2007. The whole prospect of hosting matches in the world cup has acted as a catalyst in the whole process, and has hastened our resolve at ensuring that the road infrastructure and bridges are improved.”

Minister of Agriculture the Hon Gregory Bowen said that his ministry will be working along with the contractors to ensure that sufficient land space is provided to have the necessary adjustments on both sides of the river.

“I will personally look to ensure that we have the technical design so that water from the flooded areas passing through the river will exit the sea without causing the disturbances that it caused before.” The minister expressed concerns over recent developments in the country – the delay of the work on the Green Bridge, last Tuesday’s bomb scare at the ministerial complex and others, which he said were designed to give the impression of an unstabled country that will be unable to host matches in the world cup.


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