The drainage and irrigation system of Newtown, Kitty is slated for major upgrades in the coming weeks under a new project by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
A release from MPI said that the project, which will see the repair and replacement of culverts in the area, is expected to start next week and last for five weeks. The first phase of the project will also entail
the clearing and desilting of several drains throughout the Newtown area and the clearing of alleyways, where necessary. The first phase will cost $13.7M, the release said.
According to MPI’s Community Coordinator, Neilson McKenzie, two culverts have already been identified for repair and/or replacement. The Lamaha Street Canal will receive particular attention, McKenzie said.
McKenzie further said that it is possible that more culverts will be identified as works begin and the extent of damage is ascertained.
“In living memory, no critical intervention has occurred in the Newtown area to alleviate drainage issues,” McKenzie said. He added that the area is one that is particularly susceptible to flooding and other drainage related issues.
According to the release, the second phase of the project, scheduled for early 2017, will see rehabilitative road works being executed along D’Andrade Street to lend to improved drainage. Additional drainage works are also expected to be done in phase 2.
The works have been contracted to R&B Investment.
Works are also hoped to be done on drains close to the St. Winefride’s Secondary School to improve drainage and alleviate unsanitary conditions.
McKenzie said that one expected complication will be gaining the co-operation of the area’s residents in accommodating the works. However, he said, some residents have already indicated their willingness to co-operate.
Some of the streets that will benefit from this intervention include D’Andrade, D’Abreu, Lamaha, and Duncan.
