Thomas Lands Road being reinforced at $30M

Geogrid and geocell fabric materials are being used by the Public Works Ministry to reinforce the Thomas Lands Road as a substructure to safeguard it from sliding further into the nearby canal.

The ongoing works was inspected by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Wednesday. Edghill noted that asphalt is being removed and broken up into small pieces, creating room for the geogrid and geocell fabric to be placed to create an improved sub-base. He said that the sub-base will be built with eight inches of crusher- run and two inches of asphalt improving the overall endurance of the road.

The public works minister disclosed that road work is being undertaken by Pooran Manman and Sons Contracting Services and commenced one week ago with a contract period of three months. However, he urged the contractor to complete works before month-end. Edghill pointed out that the same technology used on the Black Bush Polder and UG roads is being used on Thomas Lands. He stressed that the new technology is being used to prevent the shoulders from slipping into the canals. It is also being used in the absence of revetment, which will cost triple the current amount to build the road.

Minister Edghill disclosed that roads constructed with canals at both sides are commonly faced with the challenge of sloping. “This road when it was constructed, I don’t think has the same capacity and strength as that same highway out there. In the mornings, what I found happening is that because out there is congested with the traffic, the trucks, the container trucks, everybody start turning into these roads. This was a major situation that developed so, we will have to try and get this fixed. The important thing is we want to be able to have roads that people can be able to move,” Edghill explained.

The minister appealed to citizens and truck drivers to observe the weight limit of the roads. Edghill pointed out that poor excavation work can also cause the shoulders of the road to slope.

“A lot of times when you see excavators cleaning drains, it looks clean but it is actually doing damage to the road, so, we have to be able to get the skill that when people are cleaning to be able to maintain the slope,” stated The minister added that works of similar nature are expected to be conducted in Haags Bosch.