The department of the Government Information Service recently spoke to project manager Benjamin Ortega, who pointed out the main tasks of the New Works and Infrastructural Management department and provided an update on the latest developments.
We have to maintain the district roads, try to solve the traffic congestion, provide garbage disposal, and maintain the sewage lines, operating the main water pumps in Sucker Garden, beach maintenance, welding work for various entities within government, maintaining the burial grounds, recapping/repaving of roads, emergency works during hurricane or storms, getting rid of car wrecks, maintaining the sewage plant, among other types of works.
Ortega said that the L.B. Scot road resurfacing project is ongoing, and there are some delays with reference to the laying utility lines, but no extra cost to the project itself. The project will not be totally completed before the carnival period. Although the final layer of asphalt will not be in place before the carnival, the road surface will be smooth and they are hoping to have temporary road markings in place. This project is part of the AJC Brouwers road upgrade, with a total of 3.6 million guilders.
Concerning the Bush road project, which is being carried out by GEBE but supervised by the department, one part will soon be completed, and the road will be clear for the carnival period, Ortega said.
Some projects that are in the works to keep the public safer are: installing more speed bumps, repainting more pedestrians crossings (zebra/white stripes) especially around schools, installing cat eyes, the reflectors in the middle of the road. As well on L.B. Scot road, the "divider island" is safer, with a sloping edge and a walk path through the island.
In the end, Ortega said that they are doing their best with what they have. There is a backlog, so we have to deal with this. He also asked the public to bear with the department, for the work is being carried out on the community's behalf. There might be many projects ongoing at the same time but this little inconvenience for much more years of pleasure, Ortega said.