The Shadow Minister of Public Works and Environment has questioned the status of a $6.2 million asphalt production plant yet to be set up.

Linda Smith also called for clarity on the Government’s partnership with Surface Experts Ltd, a private company assisting with repaving the island’s roads.

She said that it seemed work on Church Road, Southampton, was apparently made possible only through the partnership.

Ms Smith added: “This news is disturbing given that it was only two years ago that Government spent $5.2 million on a new asphalt production plant that apparently has yet to arrive in Bermuda.

“Additionally, it is difficult to fathom that no one in Government seems to feel a need to update the public or talk about what has happened to the plant.”

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, yesterday spoke about work under way along Church Road in Southampton.

He said the project was one of several repairs taking place across the island, which would include filling potholes and installing traffic control measures.

Ms Smith called the Church Road work “a long time coming” as area residents appealed for help for more than five years through area MPs Crystal Caesar and, later, herself.

She said: “While there is a lot of competition across the island for urgent paving projects, Church Road is different from many other roads in that it is a public road that is home to three schools, a church and post office.

“It also sits between Middle and South roads and is often used as a thoroughfare.

“Additionally, it has several residential branch roads flowing to it.”

Ms Smith added that, while the continuing weeks of work was “good news to many,” it was important to keep track of funds spent.

She said: “While most everyone will agree that our roads need urgent improvement, we should not lose sight of the fact that only $5 million was allocated by Government in the 2026-27 Budget for road paving projects.

“This now begs questions about the value of the most recent paving partnering arrangement.

“It also raises questions about the whereabouts and status of Bermuda’s already paid for asphalt production plant.”

Mr Adams said in February that the plant — expected to produce 100 tonnes of asphalt daily once operational — remained in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the United States, but was soon expected to be shipped to the island.

He added that while the Government remained “hopeful” that the plant would become operational this year, he could not provide a precise date.

Mr Adams added then: “Shipping timelines, installation, logistics and commissioning requirements must first be completed.”

The ministry said in April that the plant was expected to arrive on the island by the end of this summer.

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has been contacted for a response.