Airport-to-River Dock Road in Barbuda to Be Completed Within Eight Weeks

Work on the two-mile road connecting Barbuda’s airport to River Dock will begin shortly and is expected to be completed within eight weeks, the government announced Thursday.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Cabinet received an update Wednesday from Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump and senior officials from the Ministry of Works on the government’s national road programme.

“Special attention was given to the government’s road improvement programme on Barbuda,” Merchant said during the post-Cabinet news briefing.

“Cabinet was informed that work on the two-mile road from the airport to River Dock will commence shortly and is expected to be completed within eight weeks from commencement,” he added.

Merchant did not identify the contractor or provide a specific date for construction to begin. He said, however, that the selected company has an established presence and demonstrated operational capacity in both Antigua and Barbuda.

“This approach is expected to facilitate the efficient mobilisation of equipment and personnel, allowing work to proceed without unnecessary delays,” Merchant said.

An independent project monitor has also been appointed to oversee the work and ensure accountability, transparency and compliance with engineering standards.

Several other roads in Barbuda have been identified for rehabilitation under the wider infrastructure programme. The government said those projects are intended to improve transportation and access for residents and businesses while supporting the island’s economic and social development.

The national road programme is being financed through an EC$100 million bond raised from a consortium of local banks and a US$33 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.

Merchant said the financing arrangements are progressing as planned and are expected to accelerate road rehabilitation across Antigua and Barbuda.

“The financial secretary reported that all financing mechanisms are advancing, with disbursement of the CDB loan expected within days once the remaining contractual requirements have been completed,” he said.

The Ministry of Works told Cabinet that preparatory work is underway to facilitate the timely execution of projects financed through both arrangements.

Cabinet directed officials to expedite implementation so communities could benefit from improved roads as soon as possible.

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