The National Works Agency (NWA) has been instructed to undertake emergency repairs to a damaged section of the sea wall in Black River St. Elizabeth, located along High Street in the town.
The instructions have come following a tour of the area on Thursday, May 16, 2013 by State Minister for Works, Hon. Richard Azan. The tour was organized on instructions by Transport and Works Minister, Dr. Omar Davis following complaints that the entire sea wall was in imminent danger of collapsing. Sections were damaged by recent flood rains in the area.
The sea wall facilitates movement along High street, which is a major corridor linking the town of Black River to townships in Manchester and Westmoreland.
Minister Azan says that if further erosion of the sea wall occurs, the roadway could become impassable, leading to major disruption in traffic especially with the pending hurricane season.
The repair works will include the reconstruction of approximately 70 metres of the retaining wall, construction of a sidewalk, guard rails and paving the reinstated area of the roadway with Asphaltic Concrete.
Minister Azan says that the emergency works should begin within two weeks and be completed by the end of June 2013. It is estimated to cost approximately $34 million.
