Dominica: UK-based company chosen for Loubiere-Bagatelle road design

UK-headquartered consultancy Mott MacDonald has been selected for a project in Dominica that will “rehabilitate” a 12-mile (20km) stretch of road badly damaged by Tropical Storm Erika.

The company, which is one of the world's largest employee-owned organisations, is known for Europe's Channel Tunnel and Hong Kong International Airport.

A grant from the UK’s Department for International Development has been provided to Dominica through the Caribbean Development Bank.

The Ministry of Public Works and Ports project will see the construction of nine new bridges, the rehabilitation of the road in landslide areas, road safety improvements and upgrades to existing road drainage infrastructure.

The scheme will also include assessments and design of foreshore protection, including slope protection measures along the Dubuque Cliffs.

Tom Hickson, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “In addition to repairing damage caused by the tropical storm, these rehabilitation works will provide climate-resilient infrastructure to support the economic and social development of the communities along the road network.”

Mott MacDonald will assess the condition of existing infrastructure such as bridges, pavements, drainage and earthworks, as well as provide the detailed design for all necessary civil and structural engineering works as part of the road rehabilitation.

The consultancy will also undertake environmental and social impact assessments and prepare extreme weather, environmental and social management plans, as well as contract bidding documentation.

Speaking at a town hall meeting earlier this year, Senator Miriam Blanchard said: “I’m sure it’s a project that you are all excited to hear about, I’m sure it’s a project you already know will impact positivity on your lives from a personal point of view, I think it’s a new project that is one of the most exciting, dynamic and transformational projects in the portfolio of the Ministry of Public Works in Ports.”

The Loubiere to Bagatelle road rehabilitation project is due to be completed in 2019.