By Khrisna Russell

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government plans to widen the Gladstone Road corridor from two lanes to four, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last night, adding the design phase for this major road project will soon begin.

Officials also plan to extend the existing Milo Butler Highway southwards from Carmichael Road to Cowpen Road. This project will comprise a new four-lane dual carriageway together with roundabouts and other traffic enhancing elements. Additionally, the section of Baillou Hill Road closest to Cowpen Road will be widened from two lanes to four.

Dr Minnis announced these major road projects, among others, along with large-scale infrastructure developments for the Family Islands in his third and final address to the nation for the year.

While he gave no indication of how much the road works in New Providence will cost the government, the prime minister said public private partnerships for road improvements worth $30m are being considered for a number of islands.

“I am happy to announce this evening that the design phase for the widening of the Gladstone Road corridor from two lanes to four lanes is about to commence.

“The improvement to this corridor will increase the north-south road network capacity, which will result in a reduction in delays along this congested corridor during heavy peak hour traffic,” Dr Minnis said.

“The government will be seeking proposals from local consultants for the design and supervision of: Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, between Bethel Avenue and John F Kennedy Drive; the four-lane highway will continue between Bethel Avenue and JFK Drive; and Baillou Hill Road between Soldier Road and Cowpen Road.”

He continued: “We plan to improve the section of road between Soldier Road and Carmichael Road, by increasing the number of southbound lanes, and by widening the section of Baillou Hill Road to Cowpen Road, from two lanes to four lanes.

“We will continue with increasing the north-south road network capacity by extending the existing Milo Butler Highway southwards, from Carmichael Road, to Cowpen Road. The proposed project will comprise a new four-lane dual carriageway together with roundabout junctions, street lighting, drainage, sidewalks, traffic signs, road markings and landscaping. We are developing a design for the improvement of Coconut Grove between Baillou Hill Road and East Street.”

The prime minister said there would also be junction improvements with the installation of new traffic signals and road widening at Commonwealth Boulevard and Prince Charles Drive, and Arawak Cay and West Bay Street.

West Bay Street and Blake Road also will be improved with the construction of a new roundabout.

Village Road from Village Lane to Shirley Street is also to be resurfaced.

Dr Minnis told viewers last night that traffic management was now a key focus of his government.

“The government is planning the establishment of a traffic management centre, in order to monitor all signals remotely, in an effort to improve response times to any technical issues that require attention.

“This traffic management centre will also: observe changes in traffic flow patterns and/or volumes; adjust signal timings to optimise the performance of the junction or signalised corridor; and collect daily traffic data on a continuous basis.”

As for the Family Islands, Dr Minnis said new roads planned for the North Andros settlements of Mastic Point, Nicolls Town and Conch Sound, including replacement of water mains, is progressing satisfactorily and nearing completion.

This $14.9m contract started in June 2017 and is due for completion in the months ahead.

The $4.55m contract for the Ernest Dean Highway Rehabilitation in Abaco commenced in March 2019.

The Monument Road Project in North Long Island started in January 2019. It is being done at a contract cost of $1.35m. The expected completion date is January 2020.

As the government eyes increased economic growth and expansion, the Killarney MP said there needed to be fuller development of the entire archipelago.

The plans entail a new terminal and airside works at Exuma International Airport. This is expected to begin in late 2019.

The Deadman’s Cay Airport terminal and airside construction project at a cost of $13.5m is also due to commence in the next budget period.

Further the reconstruction and expansion of the Great Harbour Cay Airport in the Berry Islands is due to begin shortly and will include a new terminal building, Dr Minnis said.