By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE government has signed a $1.3 million contract for road repair in Central Abaco as one item on a long list of necessary infrastructural work that needs to be done in the Family Islands.

The project will begin early next week across five miles of road and is set to be completed in four months and will see as many as 15 new jobs created on the island.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday that Abaconians – including Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key - have been “agitating” for the road repairs as the roads have been left “neglected.”

He explained that roads in the vicinity of Marsh Harbour, Murphy Town, and Dundas Town had “significantly deteriorated” over an extended period of time.

“As a result the Ministry of Works and Urban Development was requested to design and assess the scope of works for the repairs of the roads in Central Abaco and to enter into negotiations with Bill Simmons Construction and Heavy Equipment Co Ltd to effect the necessary repairs,” Mr Davis said.

“It should be noted that this roadworks project is being executed in a part of the island of Abaco that is considered to be the busiest area. The roads in Central Abaco are used by the majority of the island’s residents. The completion of this project will therefore enhance the level of road safety for motorists and pedestrians on that island as they go about their daily routine.”

The government is also cognizant of the need to maintain roads after they are repaired, the deputy prime minister continued.

“In this regard, I will be challenging my ministry to look after this investment, among others, by providing adequate and timely road maintenance which can contribute to coast containment relative to our roadworks programmes.”

A unit charged with looking after the roads is currently being formed, Mr Davis said, and a Ministry engineer will spearhead that unit when it eventually comes to fruition.

He added that the road repair in Abaco is just one of several plans that the Ministry of Works has on the table.

“At the moment, I think the next contract signing will be for the repairs of roads in Green Turtle Cay,” Mr Davis said.

“Then we have to commence the work at the North Abaco dock – that’s north of Cooper’s Town. Then, we are exploring the extension of the runway at Marsh Harbour.”

None of the plans is concrete as yet, but the Ministry believes the work could cost in the millions.

“The North Abaco dock is in the region of $3 million, the North Abaco bridge – that we are contemplating – is another $7 million,” Mr Davis said. “We’ll either do the bridge, or the (runway) extension, or we’ll do some more roadworks – that’s another $8 million to $9 million.”

He took note of the government’s financial constraints, but explained the Ministry wants to focus on Family Island development.