Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government will access $100 million in financing to launch a major new road construction programme in 2026, expanding on the island’s largest era of road and highway development in more than a generation.
Browne made the announcement during Thursday’s presentation of the 2026 national budget, saying the next phase of road works will target several high-traffic corridors, rural communities and areas where aging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with growth in housing and commercial activity.
The Prime Minister said his administration has already rebuilt, resurfaced or upgraded dozens of major and secondary roads over the past decade, citing the Friars Hill Road and Airport Road reconstruction, the Old Parham Road upgrades, the Sir George Walter Highway improvements, and extensive works across rural districts.
He said the new $100 million programme will expand that progress, addressing bottlenecks, strengthening hurricane resilience and improving public safety. Planned works will include rehabilitation of asphalt surfaces, reinforced drainage systems, modern signage and lighting, and structural upgrades to accommodate heavier commercial traffic.
While full details will be outlined by the Ministry of Works during the budget debate, Browne signaled that priority areas include key arteries leading into St. John’s, connecting roads in the All Saints and Clare Hall areas, and links to expanding residential zones and industrial clusters.
The Prime Minister said the road programme is being made possible by the country’s improved fiscal position, including a primary surplus of $254.9 million and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 61.4 percent — the closest Antigua and Barbuda has ever been to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union’s 60 percent target.
He argued that strong revenues from tourism, construction and imports have created the space for government to accelerate long-term development projects without compromising fiscal stability.
“This $100 million road programme is about preparing Antigua and Barbuda for the next decade of growth,” Browne said, emphasizing that reliable and resilient infrastructure remains essential for economic competitiveness and community development.
The Ministry of Works will provide a detailed schedule of targeted roads when the budget debate resumes next week.
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