After experiencing a near funding freeze last year, the Works and Engineering Ministry was given an additional $2.92 million this year bringing the Ministry's budget to $46.2 million.

Minister Alex Scott was not available to comment on his Ministry's windfall yesterday which saw his budget increased almost seven percent.

Almost half of that budget is accounted for by capital projects which fall under the Ministry's responsibility.

A total of $22.4 million is earmarked for these infrastructure enhancing projects.

Eastenders will welcome continued funding for improvements to the Causeway and the Swing Bridge. These have been allocated $2.4 million under the new budget.

That amount is slightly higher than the $2.29 million originally allocated last year for work on Longbird Bridge, the Causeway and the Swing Bridge.

However, while Longbird Bridge was originally set for $444,000 in improvements last year, the revised amount took work on that bridge to $2.5 million. No monies have been allocated to Longbird Bridge this year.

Improvements to the Causeway were limited to strengthening its foundation last year however long-term plans for a land bridge include widening it and straightening it in order to avoid accidents.

New ferries which will be coming in the next years will require new ferry docks and public landings. Works and Engineering has allocated $7.8 million of their capital budget for this purpose.

One million dollars has been set aside to complete the Pembroke Marsh transition from a dump to a park.

And the Ministry will also oversee a $6 million dollar project to renovate and relocate public service offices.

Slightly more will be spent on road works this year with an additional $20,000 added to that budget. One new project noted in the Budget is the Prospect Area Housing Water Project with a price tag of $350,000.

Tynes Bay Waste Treatment facility will get another $289,000 for a waste disposal contract. Other areas which account for the Ministry's new funds this year are: roads resurfacing initiative ($100,000); higher costs for trimming roadside vegetation ($60,000); increased electricity costs ($142,000) and a general provision for higher operational costs ($150,000).

A further $340,000 has been set aside for staff training and $1 million added to building maintenance operations.