Repairs to the heavily deteriorated All Saints Road will begin as early as Monday, with the government shifting responsibility for the project to the Public Works Department in a bid to fast-track long-delayed upgrades.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the decision reflects a move away from an earlier proposal involving a Canadian contractor, which he indicated would have cost significantly more and taken longer to implement.
“We’re going to fix All Saints Road,” Browne said, adding that “work will start by Monday,” with Public Works now tasked with carrying out the resurfacing.
He disclosed that a previous option involving a Canadian firm was estimated at about $50 million, but argued that the government no longer sees that route as necessary.
“That Canadian option was about $50 million,” Browne said, suggesting that the cost was excessive given the urgency of the situation and the capacity available locally.
Instead, Browne said the government will rely on its own resources to deliver the project more efficiently.
“We believe that Public Works can do it cheaper and faster,” he said, pointing to a more direct approach that avoids the delays often associated with external procurement processes.
The Prime Minister also made clear that financing is not an obstacle, stating that “the money is in place” to undertake the repairs.
All Saints Road, one of the country’s key transportation corridors, has been the subject of mounting public frustration due to its poor condition, with motorists and residents repeatedly calling for urgent intervention.
Browne’s announcement signals a shift in strategy, with the government opting to bypass prolonged negotiations and move immediately to execution through local capacity.
The timeline now places the start of physical works within days, marking what could be the most decisive step yet toward addressing one of the island’s most persistent infrastructure complaints.
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ANOTHER ENRICHMENT SCHEME IS OPENING UP ON ALL SAINTS ROAD.I THOUGHT A CANADIAN COMPANY WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT PROJECT.
Public Works ????
You realise the road deterioration is caused by all them patchwork…. If you look at said all saints road- the initial surface that C.O.Williams did years ago is not that bad – the real issue is when public works come to fill a pothole they do it so messy, spreading the asphalt uneven across the road ; patching up here and there . Is those patching up that is now causing chaos over all Antigua roads. So I’m begging you , please resurface the road properly.
This arterial road that has major linkage around the island should have been upgraded a decade or so ago. The volume of the outcry could no longer be ignored.
My only concern is that our Public Works Department doesn’t have a good record overall on our roadworks.
Last year the heavy rain falls revealed the inferior materials that were used to patch up our road infrastructure, and as a result massive potholes were uncovered (those of us who got caught up near Kennedy’s on All Saints Road will testify that a small boat was preferred to a motor vehicle).
I don’t know much about the Canadian construction firm, but I do know that their roads smooth, roadworthy and vehicle friendly.
The Public Works Department have a lot to prove on this major projectb… and who again is in charge of that office? 👩🏽
How could I forget… 🤣
Public works? This man really thinks we’re myopic and dunce. Look at independence avenue that oublic works did 5 months ago. It done mash up.
As much as I want them to fix all saints road if public works ago do it is best yall leave it as it is….dey do nothing good and like they directly doing what dey doing on d road to spite and frustrate the people….nothing tarl dem do good….d asphalt has no oil….dry dry
This means the road won’t be done properly, it will be an election road
It’s seems like public works is where you go and get you hear cut man, cause if there’s the ones to fix the road it’s gonna look like the hair above your mouth Mr PM. Anybody but public works to fix it
Omg not public works. Independence drive was just completed and I’m sure you see the condition at the top of St Mary’s Street… Smh
I would suggest C O. Williams but all now he can’t compete factory Rd…
Every Jesus Christ day dem a dig up and patch back the road between Guntrropes and Glanvilles.
Sigh . I don’t know what to say anymore.
BHM – bad job on friars hill Rd
C O Williams – takes forever
Public works – don’t have any faith in them
Is bet the try some Chinese to get the job done .
Here we again. More money for ALP faithfuls. When will we ever learn 🇦🇬
“We believe that Public Works can do it cheaper and faster,” – Just like Independence drive which is now sinking in after a few months.
After all the research and commitment to involving professionals who promised that they could do it with innovative and more cost effective solutions we fall back on the same people who produce the roads we now loathe. Electioneering at its finest.
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