The Government of the Virgin Islands signed its thirteenth Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Loan funded road contract today March 7.

The contract was signed with Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Limited to execute rehabilitation works at Harrigan Estate (Bound Tree Road), which was affected by sub- tropical Storm Otto in 2010.

The project has a cost of $623,250.87 and will be funded under the CDB’s Natural Disaster Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme.

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool said, “Works will begin to build a retaining wall, curd, slipper drains and the paving of Harrigan Estate (Bound Tree Road) that extends from the top of Fort Charlotte to the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church.”

Honourable Vanterpool added, “Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited has successfully completed similar projects in Long Trench, Fortune Ghut and Ballast Bay and works continue on drainage solution and road rehabilitation in Greenland. I expect that Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited will execute these works in Harrigan Estate with professionalism, within budget and on time.”

Minister Vaterpool stated that he is especially proud of the work the contractors executed in Long Trench as the project was completed under budget and four months ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Managing Director for Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Limited, Mr. Dion Crabbe is encouraging more contractors to bid for projects and has promised to assist others in gaining construction experience.

A total of $10,763,990.04 has been expended to date from the $15,670,000.00 CDB loan. Expenditure includes Engineering Consultancy which was awarded to FDL Consultant Inc. and Planning Regulations awarded to Tire Greene.

Five CDB contracts for infrastructure works are currently on going including Nottingham Estate, Greenland, Windy Hill, Lee Road, Virgin Gorda and Horse Path. Cox Heath/Pockwood Pond Road Rehabilitation works tender package is in the National Competitive Bidding process via the standard local procurement procedure.

Preparations are also being made for the contract signing for the hydrology study and the George’s Hallow road, the final project to be contracted, is in its design stage.

The following projects have been completed. They include Palestina, Ballast bay, Thomas land, Huntum’s Ghut, Long Trench and Fortune Ghut.

The Caribbean Loan Funded Natural Disaster Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme is designated for areas affected by 2010 Sub-tropical Storm Otto. These include resurfacing, installing edge of roads, curb walls and slipper drains on Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

Attached:

1. Audio Clip of Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool at contract signing.
2. Audio Clip of Managing Director, Mr. Dion Crabbe at contract signing.
3. Photo of Mr. Dion Crabbe, Mr. Autley Crabbe and Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Minister for Communications and Works