Barbados unveils US$250mn infrastructure works

Barbados has outlined a capital works program costing some 500mn Barbadian dollars (US$250mn) that will focus on upgrading infrastructure on the island.

The investments will include development of the Scotland district of the island with four major bridge projects and a series of roadworks.

“With a projected cost of over a half billion dollars in capital expenditure over the next three years, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources [MTWW] will be creating history by undertaking the most comprehensive and expansive works program ever seen in Barbados beginning in this forthcoming financial year,” minister Ian Gooding-Edghill was reported as saying by NationNews. The new financial year begins on April 1.

Speaking during day three of the estimates debate in the House of Assembly, Mark Cummins (pictured), permanent secretary at the MTWW, revealed that the design and construction plans have been completed for the bridges on road arteries leading to the district.

Repairs will also be carried out on the Hillaby, Haggatts, Greenland, Greg Farm, Swan/Turner’s Hall and Mose Bottom roads, according to Gooding-Edghill. Works will start in the parishes of St. John, St. Joseph, St. Peter and St. Thomas once a 230mn-Barbadian dollar loan with China is finalized. 

Last month the minister had promised "substantial investment" in road infrastructure.

The Scotland district, part of the St Andrew parish, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers roughly 20% of Barbados. In November 2020, the IDB urged Caribbean countries to invest in infrastructure to ensure a positive rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

ELECTRIC BUSES

As part of the MTWW budget review, chief operating officer of the transport board Lynda Holder revealed that another 14 more electric buses had been purchased. They will arrive in the coming months and join the 33 currently in service. 

A review of the public transport system is underway with a view to possible privatization. “The Government of Barbados has commenced a program looking and reviewing the whole concept of a Mass Transit Authority. The public transport sector in Barbados is worth in excess of 200 million [Barbadian dollars] and people do not stay in business if they are not making money,” Gooding-Edghill was quoted as saying by Barbados Today.

Photo credit: Barbados Tourist Board