Elbow Cay, Abaco, August 1, 2019 – A contract was signed between the Government of The Bahamas and Bahamas Marine Construction Co. Ltd. for the shoreline stabilization of ‘Dune Road’ at Elbow Cay, Abaco, to provide safer passage for residents traversing the area.
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis led a delegation from New
Providence for the Contract Signing Ceremony — Shoreline Stabilization of Dune
Road, held Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Hon. Desmond Bannister,
Minister of Works; the Hon. Darren Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Member of Parliament for North Abaco; Viana Gardiner, Chief Operating Officer,
Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and other officials.
Hope Town and Elbow Cay possess a rich
history, which the residents of the area have preserved with great dedication
and care, the Prime Minister observed in his remarks.
“You are known throughout The Bahamas for the
preservation of your cultural heritage, your civic involvement and your robust
involvement in matters of local government.
“I am happy to be here today to acknowledge
these community attributes and to offer you some good news for which you have
been waiting for some time,” he said.
Provisions under the contract aim to bring relief and to ensure the
safety of the residents of, and visitors to, the historic environs of Elbow
Cay.
“You would be pleased to know that The Ministry of Public Works is also
conducting roadwork at Green Turtle Cay, and is about to commence retaining
wall construction and installation of road markings,” the Prime Minister said.
Additionally, the Ministry has purchased a road-marking machine, which
will be sent to Abaco, the training for which will be provided by the
Ministry’s staff, he said.
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused severe damage
to the edge of Queen’s Highway and nearby sand dune, resulting in loss of beach
sand in front of the dune. And over time, the dune was severely
damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and other tropical weather systems.
“Immediate action is required to keep the road in a safe condition and to stabilize
the shoreline to mitigate shoreline erosion,” the Prime Minister said.
The
Ministry of Public Works conducted the site investigations and prepared a scope
of works, which include site clearance and removal of common earth materials,
rehabilitation of 790 ft. long road surface, construction of 850 linear feet of
retaining wall to stabilize edge of road, planting of dune vegetation, among
other safety measures.
“Based
on the Ministry’s recommendation, the Government of The Bahamas approved that a
contract be issued to Bahamas Marine Construction Co. Ltd in the amount of
Three Million, Two Hundred & Sixty Three Thousand, Six Hundred & Sixty
Five Dollars Forty Four Cents ($3,263,665.44),” the Prime Minister noted.
Approval
was also granted for a contingency sum due to the nature of the work where
there is a high risk of unforeseen subsurface construction conditions, that may
potentially lead to an increase in the amount of both filter and armor stones
required, he said.
The anticipated length of the contract work is 30 weeks.
By Lindsay Thompson
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Construction contract signed, July 31, 2019 to stabilize Elbow Cay coastal ‘dune road’ at anticipated cost of $3,263,665.44, taking approximately 30 weeks to complete. Prime Minister Minnis addressed members of the Elbow Cay community. Signing are Bahamas Government and Bahamas Marine Construction Co. Ltd. officials.
(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)