Residents Divided Over Ongoing Roadworks in 3rd Avenue Goodland, St Michael

Residents of 3rd Avenue Goodland, St Michael, are split over ongoing extensive roadworks in the area.

While some say the project represents a major inconvenience regarding access, others declared it also much needed.

Charles Bayley said he was willing to endure any inconvenience once it resulted in a new road.

He said he had to move his car to another location but did not mind doing so as he did not have any issues leaving home on foot, despite having to place galvanised sheets to walk on so he did not sink into the soft soil.

“I would bear any inconvenience for this road to get done,” he said.

However, another resident, who opted to remain anonymous, complained of “untidy” work by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), resulting in someone being unable to leave their house.

“No ambulance can pass,” he said.

The road is impassable from the Lower Richmond Gap side, though parts of it can be accessed from Upper Goodland.

A BWA worker on site on Monday said they were doing their best to leave footpaths for residents to walk along the sides of the work but there would be times when no one could pass.

Another resident, who also declined to be identified, said her main grouse was water supply. She said water was being cut off without warning despite what was printed on a notice distributed to them.

“This road has been bad for years and I’m glad it’s being done. My only thing is they don’t tell us when the water is getting cut off,” she said, adding this made taking baths a gamble.

The woman said it was also inconvenient having to park along the main road, Upper Goodland, and walk to her car but

it was all part of what they had to endure.

Other residents said they had no real issue with access, though they were waiting to see how things would go as the work progressed.

The notice given to residents details the work was contracted by the Ministry of Transport and Works to Alpha Omega Construction Inc. to perform milling and paving of the road, which is scheduled to be completed by Friday.

The notice warns of traffic delays and road closures, increased heavy vehicular traffic, dust and mud and water service disruption, though adding the BWA would provide advanced notice before any scheduled shutdowns or disruptions.

A source at the construction company said they had mostly received complaints from one person who was “quite dissatisfied” that there had not been any consultation prior to the work. However, the official said letters had been sent out with a contact number for transparency’s sake.

“In the beginning, we had hiccups with wetting the road as trucks were unavailable at the time.”

When contacted yesterday, managing director of Alpha Omega Construction, Teddy Bartlett, said Minister of Transport and Works Santia Bradshaw and a team visited the road earlier and more information will soon be released.