$644M for roads and bridges

According to the PSIP, the Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (PURE) has been allocated a total sum of $248 million form fiscal 2011. “The focus of the programme will be to continue road construction and rehabilitation projects throughout the country, including the rehabilitation and construction of additional lanes and shoulders, walkovers, bridges and landslip repairs,” the Government stated.

Key projects to be addressed by PURE in fiscal 2011 include the south-bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway, widening and pavement rehabilitation from Tarouba to Golconda; Diego Martin Highway extension and widening; upgrade of Indian Trail Overpass and repairs to landslips on the Papourie Road Barrackpore, St Julien Road, Princes Town and Charuma Junction Trace Rio Claro.

The Port-of-Spain East/West Corridor Transportation Project will continue with a sum of $250 million for the completion of the Aranjuez/El Socorro Interchange and associated parallel roads; finalisation of designs and commencement of construction of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway/Uriah Butler Highway Interchange (package C), involving the realignment of the Uriah Butler Highway to cross over the existing Churchill Roosevelt Highway, with associated ramps, service roads and overpasses.

The upgrading and rehabilitation of secondary roads in 14 regions of Trinidad will be handled by the relevant local government corporations with allocations totally $53.6 million. A sum of $36.8 million has been allocated for road improvement and bridge rehabilitation in Tobago in fiscal 2011.

The National Highways Programme will continue in the new fiscal year with an allocation of $31 million from general revenues.

The main areas of focus for this programme includes preparations for the transition to the Roads Authority; construction of permanent weigh stations at Wallerfield and Couva; the preparation of preliminary designs for several additional roads from Princes Town to Moruga.

Sangre Grande to Toco, Penal to Guayaguayare and Manzanilla to Mayaro.