Another rung in the ladder toward success in the St. George's Heritage Plan has been secured with the completion of the Water Street Project.

In one of her last acts as Mayor of the Old Town, Lois Perinchief will officially open Water Street on Monday at 10 a.m.

The project has seen the "undergrounding'' of overhead electrical and telephone wires, the upgrading of water and sewerage lines, and the laying of paving stones.

Made possible by the Corporation of St. George's, Ministry of Works and Engineering, and the St. George's Foundation, the project is aimed at restoring some of the "Olde Towne'' flavour to the Western Hemisphere's oldest continually inhabited English speaking settlement.

Stanley Kennedy, of SGK Urban Design Associates, was the architect and urban designer of the project while the contractor was Richardson and Wright Construction.

Next in line for the old town is improvement of Blacksmith's Hill after the end of the cruise ship season.

Ms Perinchief said: "We are very pleased to see the completion of another project from our Town Heritage Plan.

"Water Street is the longest and most significant thoroughfare to have been worked on so far,'' she added. "And everyone seems very happy with the results. We are very grateful to the Foundation and to the many local people who have helped to coordinate the funding for this project.'' Formed in 1997, the St. George's Foundation raises funds through private and public partnerships and works with Government and the Municipality, utility companies and local businesses to restore the town.