Public and private roads are set to see improvements as a result of Budget commitments outlined in Parliament yesterday.

The major capital road repaving project was allocated $5 million for 2026-27, the same as the previous fiscal year, and there is an additional $7,29 million for the highways programme, an increase of $1.48 million.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said the boost for the highways programme was to cover negotiated salary uplift, the hiring of personnel and $1 million for private roads.

Under the programme, works will include routine and periodic road resurfacing, installation and maintenance of proper drainage systems, erection and upkeep of signage and road markings, construction and reinforcement of retaining structures, and the provision and maintenance of public bus shelters.

“The programme is also mandated to provide expert technical advice to other government ministries, departments and agencies on matters related to highway engineering,” Mr Adams explained.

He added: “While this funding is critical for ongoing major maintenance work, including road resurfacing, junction improvement and road widening, we are all acutely aware of the deteriorating state of our roads and the concerns raised by the public are both valid and justified.

“The frustrations of the public are not lost on us and we remain committed to tackling these challenges head on.

“To support these efforts, we are taking significant steps to address immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, long-term solution.

“Improving Bermuda’s roadways remains a top priority and investments in new equipment and modernised infrastructure are essential to achieving that goal.”

When questioned by Linda Smith, the Shadow Minister of Public Works and Environment, Mr Adams said $5 million would allow for ten to 11 kilometres of paving, and highlighted that the ministry is working with an older asphalt plant.

Mr Adams told MPs last month that the new plant remained in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but was “hopeful” that it would be operational in Bermuda this year.

Additionally, under the Ministry of Public Works and Environment, $3 million was set aside for school maintenance works including painting and air conditioning.

Mr Adams said: “Safe and functional school facilities remain a priority and this work continues in co-ordination with the Department of Education, and to ensure alignment with the long-term education reform programme.”

Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, said last month that renovations to make schools fit for purpose could cost $10 million to $20 million for each school.

The 2026-27 Budget also contained a $14 million package for the education ministry to upgrade facilities and invest in new technology at public schools and the Bermuda College.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was allocated $10.21 million for 2026-27 — a $1 million, or 12 per cent, increase from this fiscal year.

That includes $3.47 million for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, which can also expect an additional $1.73 million in capital funding for its 2025-38 master plan.

The DENR hopes to earn $260,000 from dog licensing fees, but Mr Adams said only 25 per cent of dogs in Bermuda were actually licensed in 2025-26, far below the department’s 40 per cent target for that period.

He added: “Work is being done to ramp up our efforts, particularly when it comes to the licensing of dogs, and we’ll be on the lookout in the near future for efforts and initiatives that are in the works [to address the issue].”

Mr Adams added that 847 dog complaints, 30 dog-related injuries and 36 injuries involving other animals were reported in 2025.

One person was convicted of a dog-related offence last year and seven prosecutions are pending, MPs heard.

Mr Adams said that the DENR removed 10,000 feral animals, mostly chickens, in 2025-26 and hopes to tackle the same number during the upcoming fiscal year.

He added that staff are trained to cull chickens, pigeons and crows.

The department’s ambient air quality programme received $230,000, unchanged from 2025-26.

Mr Adams said there were seven air monitoring stations active including near Belco, the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility and busy roads.