Grenada invited to supply aggregates to T&T

Published: Friday August 15, 2008

Grenada was yesterday invited to supply aggregates to the T&T construction industry.

In extending the invitation to a delegation led by Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, Roger Joseph, said T&T does not have enough aggregates to build the first phase of Government's $15 billion National Highways Programme.

Joseph was making a presentation on the ministry's new trunk road network and highways expansion programme to Thomas and his delegation during a visit to the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate.

The briefing session was hosted at the offices of the National Gas Company.

Joseph said because of the shortage, T&T may have to import aggregates from countries in the region such as Dominica.

He said construction should begin this year on six major highways which would reduce travel time and open up a wealth of opportunities for motorists.

He said the highways would also open up new areas to commercial, industrial and agricultural development.

Joseph also said that motorists would be charged a toll to use the new thoroughfares. The proposed new highways:

Solomon Hochoy highway to Point Fortin/ La Brea - $4.08 billion
San Fernando to Princess Town - $842 million
Uriah Butler to Trincity freeway - $950 million
Churchill Roosevelt Highway ex tension to Manzanilla - $4.5 billion
New North-South highway linking the East-West Corridor to Princess Town - $3.8 billion

Joseph said Phase 1 of the project would represent the largest capital development programme in T&T and call for very large infrastructure construction firms with available capacity and the latest technology.

He said it was likely that international companies might be invited to tender for the projects because of their size.

Joseph said that by the time the highways are completed in 5 years, Government might well welcome more new cars and encourage citizens to buy vehicles. He said transportation projects such as the water taxis and the rapid rail system should ease congestion on the country’s roads.


Source: Trinidad Guardian Nespapers
http://www.guardian.co.tt/business3.html