Antigua plans concrete roads to withstand climate impacts
Antigua and Barbuda’s government is turning to concrete roads as rising temperatures and intense rainfall take a toll on the country’s infrastructure. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government will begin rolling out concrete roadways, describing the plan as a sustainable solution to combat the effects of climate change on the nation’s road network.
Speaking on his weekly radio show on Pointe FM, Mr Browne noted that extreme weather patterns — from prolonged droughts to sudden, heavy rains — have made traditional asphalt roads less viable. “The asphalt melts easily in these heat waves and doesn’t last as long as it used to,” he explained. “We’re looking at new road construction methods, primarily with concrete, because asphalt is simply not sustainable under current conditions.”
To support this shift, the government has invested $21 million in equipment specifically for concrete road construction, including a Pug Mill machine that enables efficient production and laying of concrete. The equipment is expected to arrive later this month, with the expanded road program set to launch in January.
Targeted improvements on key routes
Prime Minister Browne outlined recent progress on major arteries, where his administration has prioritised upgrades. Recent projects with contractor C.O. Williams have focused on Anchorage Road and the Southern Corridor, with $98 million invested in these main routes. This work includes not only resurfacing but also adding sidewalks, curbs, and improved drainage systems.
Mr Browne acknowledged that more work is needed, particularly in high-traffic areas like All Saints Road. Residents have voiced concerns about the deteriorating conditions there, especially between Robinson’s Gas Station and the main thoroughfare. The Prime Minister indicated that C.O. Williams could take on resurfacing All Saints Road once work on Anchorage Road is completed. He urged residents to remain patient, noting that these projects take time and resources to execute.
Legacy of infrastructure challenges
The Prime Minister’s comments also highlighted broader infrastructure issues facing his administration. Mr Browne pointed to the decayed state of public buildings, outdated electrical lines, and inadequate drainage, describing them as issues inherited from previous administrations. His government, he said, is working to systematically address these areas to improve resilience across Antigua and Barbuda.
By focusing on concrete roads and comprehensive upgrades, Mr Browne’s administration aims to create a more durable infrastructure capable of withstanding both climate pressures and the demands of a growing population. The upcoming road program is expected to mark a turning point in Antigua’s approach to infrastructure, with an emphasis on sustainability and long-term solutions.
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Sounds good. But please bring in a proven foreign road building contractor and workers. And please, please, keep Public Works far away from this project. No one at Public Works has a clue what they are doing and it seems they are quite indifferent. Remember APUA almost made you lose the last election. The next one will be about roads or lack of roads if you place all your eggs in the Public Works basket.
Are we getting an ease on licensing fees while we ‘remain patient’ hoping our pockets aren’t emptied on spare parts for our vehicles as there are forced to rattle around the pot holes on these major “roadways”? We are extremely anxious with reason!
Quite frankly, I am tired of the talk. I will believe improved infrastructure for Antigua…..when it is in front of me!
@ Otto: well said my friend. It’s a word to the wise….
I have heard that more in the past three years than I have heard the song Amazing Grace. When will this government stop making promised that they cannot fulfill because of poor governance. Seems like they are preparing for an elections. They are not confident about the case against Baby Judas. They know that Robin yearwood is not returning to parliament. So the promises are coming. The campaigning is heating up. Tomorrow we will hear about the car park again. Antiguans open up your eyes and stop being sodomised by this administration…
Build roads with concrete foundations and asphalt surfaces and stop reinventing the wheel. Concrete surfaces affect vehicle when they start to deteriorate.
Maybe look at the baked in Co2 in concrete and instead plant avenues of trees which would shade the asphalt reducing temperatures.
While also absorbing Co2 and making things generally better, Urban forestry.
Oh I forget trees cause accidents to cars in Antigua and we are actually at war with Nature. We lost 17% of forest cover 2014 – 2019 as is stated in the State of environment report of 2021.
Plant avenues of trees to shade the roads would be great.
Soooo, the worst Prime Minister in living memory couldn’t predict that our climate would have a detrimental effect on our roadways?
Yet this deflector of truth CAN predict that our economy and finances will improve in the near future. Gaston you are fooling no one, except your delusional followers.
Never forget my fellow Antiguans to witness with your own EYES, instead of what’s being said to you.
SIMPLICITY IN ITSELF …
Brixtonian the best of the rest!
There are seceral things I would like to point out to the government:
1. Concrete is slippery when wet and therefore there will be a significant upsurge in traffic accidents and road deaths if we install concrete roads throughout the island.
2. Concrete requires strengthening by steel, if it is to be durable. BRC alone is not sufficient. Cost effectiveness should be a consideration.
3. Properly laid asphalt has proven to be resilient if it is encased by concrete at the edges of the road and sealed against the ingress of moisture.
4. Asphalt surfaces are the ideal material to react with rubber tires for effective braking and acceleration. There willl be less accidents and road deaths.
5. Using marl as a foundation for roadbuilding is the equivalent of building your house on sand. Let the wisdom of Jesus guide you.
6. If there is insistence on building concrete roads in this country, commonsense dictates that it should be topped with at least two inches of asphalt to derive the benefit of a surface with desirable grip. Public lives matter.
I trust my comments are useful.
Mi hope dat who so ever a di contracta, and go bill di tax payers fi 4500psi concrete wid rebar steel. When a only 1500psi strength without rebar street in a um (the road that is), cause a di same thing them do do ANTIGUAN TAX PAYERS FI YEARS. Under Lester Big Bird, no member wen public works mi dey right way courts furnishing dey, do workman dam use to have sledge gamma, pick and do likes to Burk up so hard hard tar pitch dat min dey inna paper barrels den dem min haffu melt um inna drum wid plenty heat. Dem all of a sudden di tar pitch look lakka wen mi change mi car oil watery as soon as dem put um pan di road and likkel DEW fall pan um eeh rised up lakka jumbi a try excape cemetary yard. Tell di prospective contracta fi do one SLUMP TEST FI POURING A EACH TRUCK LOAD, AND PUBLISH UM MEK DI TAX PAYING PUBLIC SEE UM. auyou luv talk bout TRANSPARENCY, men arwe see if dis ya a go more see true dam one clear plastic bag.
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