Dominica: Layou rehabilitation project to cost US$ 14 million

Senator Cassani Laville- Minister for Public Works and Digital Economy of Dominica, stated on Wednesday that the ministry has recorded significant developmental achievements in the past six months.

During a Cabinet update, Senator Laville stated that the developments had been made in the Layou rehabilitation and construction project.

Minister for Public Works and Digital Economy of Dominica mentioned that the project is funded through a financing agreement from the CDB that is amounted at around US$ 14.5 million.

Senator Cassani Laville stated that construction of two of three components of three significant projects has been completed that includes emergency shelter in the community of Layou, stabilization of the northern bank of Layou River, and re-construction of a compromised section of EO Leblanc road west of the Hillsborough Bridge.

"The ministry is focused on the implementation of the third component, which is the re-construction of four kilometers of roadway between the Hillsborough Bridge and the York Valley bridge," noted Senator Laville.

Furthermore, he added that the ministry has separated this component into two phases wherein phase 1 involves the construction and rehabilitation of the four-kilometer road and elements of the river training works.

He noted that phase 2 involves the construction of a river defense structure at four critical locations.

Senator Cassani Laville stated that in an effort to build resilience, the implementation of phase 1 would involve the re-alignment of the four-kilometer roadway northwards, which would significantly reduce the requirement of longer river revetment, which would eventually result in the reduction of cost.

He mentioned that the contract for phase 1 is also extended, and six contractors submitted their costs while the evaluation of those is still undergoing.

Senator stated that the ministry has also identified the properties which will be impacted by the project, and the process of acquiring the same has been started.