Government is assessing the state of the Island's roads in the wake of Hurricane Fabian and a recent collapse of a wall which closed off Harbour Road.

The primary focus after the hurricane was on rebuilding the Causeway and ensuring the Island's schools and buildings were safe, said acting Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary Alexander Ming.

Two weeks ago Works and Engineering staff were diverted to repairing a sea wall which threatened to cause part of Harbour Road to collapse, leading to the vital artery being closed for days.

Now Works and Engineering teams will be assessing the state of the other roads, particularly those close to the sea.

“Over the next week or so, the highways and structures section will be carrying out joint inspections of the coastal area where a public road is in close proximity, and these inspections will also include our usual evaluation of walls supporting the roads and rock faces which are adjacent to roads,” said Mr. Ming.

“Also, as is our standard procedure, our crews will be carrying out the usual maintenance repairs in patching up various potholes along the roads which may have become more severe in light of recent inclement weather.”

The next major project for crews will be repairing the part of road near John Smith's Bay which was ripped up by Fabian.

“The restoration of the Causeway was an enormous task,” added Mr. Ming.

“Our Works and Engineering teams have been working round the clock to ensure that our island's infrastructure, especially the Causeway, was operational for public use.

“I must take this opportunity to commend all our staff, from the structural engineers to the highways and road crews, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

Last week a survey of Harbour Road to Boaz Island was complete, and an inspection on bridge piers along the Causeway will be carried out in early December.

Works and Engineering is awaiting a report back from the coastal and environmental consultants hired by the Ministry of the Environment to see if a closer inspection should be made of North Shore.