Island's roads during yesterday's Budget Speech.

But the five-year plan announced by Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul is only the beginning of a programme that could last 15 years.

And it will mean all 140 miles of roads in Bermuda receiving much-needed maintenance.

Many roads on the Island have suffered severe wear and tear from the ravages of constant use and the weather.

Others have simply not been properly repaired after undergoing excavation.

Some roads have become a hazard to motorcyclists, and visitors in particular have complained about the state of the surfaces on which they have been forced to ride.

Dr. Saul said: "Addressing the Island's overall infrastructure, Government is instituting a five-year programme in order to upgrade our road system.

"One point eight million dollars will be spent on resurfacing public roads in the coming year, one million more than in 1993-4.'' Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said: "Initially this will not cover all the roads. We will be resurfacing about 10 miles of road per year.

"This is for the first five years, but we hope this will continue for the full 140 miles of road. That has been estimated at 15 years.'' Mr. Gibbons said the resurfacing was not a result of any complaints made to his Ministry -- the condition of local roads warranted upgrading.

The Hon. Leonard Gibbons.