A new $5.2 million asphalt plant ordered from overseas ran into “technical concerns”, while an accompanying piece of equipment delivered last year has turned out to be too heavy for some of the island’s roads.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, told the House of Assembly that the replacement model of the road surfacing machine from US manufacturer Astec Industries in Chattanooga, Tennessee had shown problems in other jurisdictions that were “not known to them when our original purchase agreement was signed”.

Mr Adams said an agreement in principle had been reached with the company for Bermuda to obtain “a higher-value plant at no additional cost”, with Astec covering the roughly $1.2 million extra to the original price.

Separately, Mr Adams said a “shuttle buggy” transfer vehicle for laying asphalt, which arrived in May 2025, had been found to weigh “approximately twice that of the largest piece of paving equipment currently used by the ministry”.

He added: “That weight is particularly relevant where roads are supported by ageing retaining walls or bordered by vulnerable infrastructure.”

Mr Adams said that because the buggy could only be used safely in “certain areas”, Astec had agreed in principle to accept a return at “its original purchase price, less shipping, inspection and refurbishment costs” — with an estimated net credit of roughly $700,000.

The minister said it represented “substantial value that would be recovered from equipment whose use in Bermuda would be limited”.

Although the original asphalt plant was deemed in need of replacement in 2024 by Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, who was then the public works minister, Mr Adams told MPs it was still in operation and supplying road material.

He added that Astec had agreed to help with maintaining it until the new unit comes online.

The Government also has a deal with Surface Expertise Limited to help supply asphalt “if the government plant is down”.

Mr Adams confirmed that an assessment for the potential sale of the government quarry to the nearby Rosewood resort in Hamilton Parish had concluded in April 2026 with no transaction or need for relocation of the site.

“In November 2025, aspects of the plant project were temporarily paused while that assessment was undertaken and therefore installation activities were paused and contractors were demobilised,” Mr Adams said, explaining that the asphalt replacement had been delayed as a result.

The original target was to have a new plant running by April 2025, but Mr Adams said the time needed for site works, shipping, contractor availability, installation and testing led to a revised commissioning target of the first quarter of 2026.

Mr Adams conceded that residents would want “a firm completion date, particularly after earlier targets have changed”.

He added: “I will do my best to ensure the next date we provide reflects an achievable programme supported by confirmed arrangements.”

He said the ministry had “continued delivering improvements” on resurfacing the island’s roads, which have drawn complaints in recent years over potholes and disrepair.

“I recognise that the public has waited longer than expected for the new asphalt plant and thus residents deserve a clear explanation of what has changed,” he said.

“The revised arrangements would secure a higher value plant at no additional cost, while the proposed return of the shuttle buggy would recover substantial value for taxpayers.

“Our next task is to finalise those arrangements and confirm a realistic delivery and commissioning schedule.”

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• To read the minister’s statement, see Related Media