Diego Martin Central MP Amery Browne is calling for action to fix a ten-foot deep crater, measuring 20 feet by 30 feet, which was dug by construction workers last October at the side of the Western Main Road in Cocorite and has been left open for months. The large hole is located yards from residents’ houses at Powder Magazine Phase 1 on the eastbound verge of the Western Main Road and is an accident risk for pedestrians and motorists.
It is also an eyesore, located on the opposite side of the highway from West Mall, where a culvert channels water from a drain underneath the highway.
Before the commencement of construction work, a small footbridge allowed pedestrians to cross the gap to access the sidewalk at the side of the three-lane highway. This was replaced by a temporary walkway, but residents have complained that it moves “like a suspension bridge” when they are crossing it. When the T&T Guardian visited the site, the walkway appeared weak and liable to collapse.
The crater was left without safety barriers for some months after incensed residents pulled down a temporary wooden barrier in protest at the lack of activity at the site. Motor accidents have also been reported at the site and concerned residents fear worse could follow as children and elderly residents walk across the area every day, and the traffic has increased with school on July/August vacation.
A resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: “The Diego Martin Regional Corporation has neglected us. The river and waste water is just pouring into the hole and it smells. There used to be a bus stop right here but they moved that away because of the danger.” Browne told the T&T Guardian he had asked the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure why the project had not been completed.
“They indicated there was some problem with the contract they issued and said the scope of works has to be varied and a new design has to be done for a culvert,” Browne said. “But someone with a degree of sense would have to explain why it has taken them from October until now to be sorted. While they twiddle their thumbs, all the motorists of the western peninsula, pedestrians and the residents of Powder Magazine Phase 1 have to endure grave risk.”
Contacted on the matter, Roger Ganesh, director of the Highways Division, told the T&T Guardian the project—part of a four-phase extension to extend the Diego Martin Highway—was intended to upgrade the drainage in the area. “You will recall that when there is intense rain, the eastbound verge of the highway becomes submerged under water. We don’t want that to happen again,” Ganesh said.
Asked about the length of the delay and the reason for the stalled project, Ganesh said when contractors excavated the area they discovered a culvert that was not in the plans they were working from, since the plans had not been updated for 30-40 years. “At that point we had to stop the contractors and discussed the situation with a consultant,” he said.
Ganesh said Trintoplan Consultants Ltd, the firm redesigning the plans, was contracted since March but is yet to provide a new design so the works can continue. He said he had spoken to Trintoplan and was informed the designs would be ready within the next two weeks. He confirmed that the process had been complicated by the presence of underground cables, water lines and gas pipes.
He said on completion of the project, the culvert would be entirely underground, with increased drainage capacity and water flowing safely under the highway and out towards the sea. The hole would be refilled and the area repaved, making it safer for motorists and pedestrians.
He said the location also had issues with traffic safety in that there were inadequate places for motorists leaving Powder Magazine Phase 1 to safely enter the highway. Those going west to Diego Martin have to cross three busy lanes of cars. He confirmed that a flyover and interchange, planned by the Ministry of Works would be in place in 2014. Residents, however, have not been informed as to the causes of the delay, leading to anger within the community.
When questioned on this, Ganesh said he was looking to establish “a sustainable way of providing information, by putting up an information booth where we can field questions and answer residents’ concerns.” He said a booth had been temporarily placed at the commencement of the project last year, but that residents now needed an update on the delays.