A number of capital projects will continue this financial year carrying over from last year, according to Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess.

Mr. Burgess updated the House of Assembly on Friday on various projects in his Ministry, including the new Marsh Folly facility.

He said drawings for the new facility have been completed, planning permission has been granted and documents are with the Department of Planning for a building permit for phase one.

The new building will house the Central Health Laboratories, Environmental Health, Vector Control, the Ministry of Health Headquarters, the Police Forensic Laboratory, Centralised Evidence Storage and the Ministry of Works and Engineering's Solid Waste Section.

"I am particularly pleased to report that work on phase one, which comprises the lower site development to house Works & Engineering Solid Waste Section, will commence shortly at a cost of $2 million. For many years, staff of the Solid Waste Section, who are located at Marsh Folly, have expressed concern about the physical state of the environment in which they are required to work.

"Promises to improve the situation have been made through the years, but have not been realised principally because of a lack of funding. I am delighted, therefore, that funding is now available and that the workers at the Marsh Folly facility will soon be housed in the kind of physical environment that they deserve," said the Minister.

Meanwhile, upgrades and renovations to the Zoo Animal Centre, at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ), will be completed next month, Mr. Burgess said.

"This facility will allow BAMZ to fulfil its obligation to independent accrediting associations and provide full veterinarian care for all animals housed there. This project will also provide BAMZ with much needed infrastructure for the foreseeable future."

The new Madagascar and Australasia exhibit will be completed in the fall of this year, said Mr. Burgess. He said proposals for the design and supply of the roof structure are currently being requested from a number of vendors.

Construction documents are also underway for a Co-Ed Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, with an anticipated tender date of April 2010, Mr. Burgess said. The site has been cleared for security purposes in order to allow access to the design team, he added.

Additional capital projects include the Department of Parks Maintenance Yard Facility, Parliament building refurbishment and various office relocations and alterations.