Minister: road paving to start across the island soon
Paving will commence this month on roads across Bermuda, the Minister of Public Works and Environment has announced.
Jaché Adams told the House of Assembly that an asphalt paver, a milling machine and a material transfer vehicle were expected to arrive on the island on May 17.
After completing a job at Scaur Hill, a team will head to St George’s to carry out works from York Street to Ferry Reach.
Up next is North Shore Road from the Shelly Bay Railway site, heading west, past the Aquarium and through Flatts Village.
Later, repaving is set for Middle Road in Smith’s, from North Shore to Store Hill, in co-ordination with utility companies.
Mr Adams told MPs that parts for a new asphalt plant — which include silos, burners and tanks — were under final inspection overseas, to begin arriving in Bermuda in July.
Last year, the Government signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Astec Industries, a US provider of asphalt plants and paving equipment, for the new facility.
It will also provide a new screening plant, replacement asphalting paving equipment and maintenance support.
Mr Adams said the screening plant was complete and ready for pre-delivery inspection, while site works at the plant location were progressing.
He said that installation of the equipment was planned for October.
The new asphalt plant will take several months to construct upon arrival and is expected to go operational in the first quarter of 2026.
Mr Adams said roadworks were being co-ordinated with digs by utility companies to ensure that “once a road is repaved, it stays that way for the long term” — although this had delayed several projects such as near Whitney Institute Middle School, Cavendish Road and Flora Duffy Hill.
Shallow communication lines near Whitney had to be relocated before milling could proceed without risking service disruption.
Opposition MP Craig Cannonier said there had always been co-ordination during roadworks and questioned whether the arrangement had “fallen by the wayside”.
Mr Adams said it remained in place, with stakeholders meeting each month.
He also said the ministry had “ramped up” patching and pothole responses, with weekend crews deployed as needed and residents advised to report issues at potholes@gov.bm.
He added: “This is the fastest and most effective way to receive a response.
“While we understand the urge to post concerns on social media or message officers directly, using the dedicated e-mail ensures issues are tracked, assigned and addressed as efficiently as possible.”
Mr Adams told MPs that components for the traffic lights on St John’s Road in Pembroke were expected to arrive this month.
He said components for the lights at Crow Lane were in production and expected by the end of June, with installation to follow shortly thereafter.
• To read the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media
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