The Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue project is currently 58% completed, according to the Ministry of Public Works, which says the intended deadline is August 4th.
The project, which originally commenced in August of 2018, entails road rehabilitation, installation of street lights, traffic signals, bus stops, expansion of Mandela Avenue to a four-lane Highway, drainage works, the installation of bridges and the relocation of utilities.
According to the Project Manager, Mark Greene of the Ministry of Public Works, the contractor is now completing the drains and constructing the roundabout at Sheriff Street and the Railway Embankment. The construction of a bridge at Arapaima Street is also in progress and another bridge is due to be constructed at Lamaha Street.
Green, however, noted that the ministry is not satisfied with the progress of works. While noting that the project was “substantially” delayed by rain, he said the contractor is required to provide a schedule of how it will bring the project to completion.
According to Greene, the project is presently being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$31 million and was originally contracted to Sinohydro, which has since subcontracted companies to complete the work. The companies that have been subcontracted are BK International, S. Jagmohan Construction Services, Surrey Pavers and Aggregates, Macsood Ahmad Construction, Roger Khalloo (a Trinidadian company), R. Kissoon’s Contracting Services, Home Designs and Engineering Associa-tion, Chung’s Global Enterprise and Manohar Contracting Services.
Greene stated that another subcontractor is expected to commence work this year.
When asked about maintenance, Greene stated that the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit could undertake needed maintenance.
Additionally, he said the contractor will be responsible for correcting any defects that may occur within the first year of the road’s completion under the defects liability period of the contract.
Greene noted the work being done will serve to improve road safety and traffic management.
