THE Ministry of Works intends to adopt serious measures, this year, for safeguarding investments in transport infrastructure, through continuing efforts to remove encroachment on road reserves and introducing a vehicle weight control programme.

Head of the Works Services Group (WSG) Mr. Rickford Lowe said, in addition, bids will be invited for the extension of the four-lane road from Providence to Diamond, as well as from the Timehri junction, in the vicinity of the Police Station, to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Speaking at a year end press conference, hosted by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, last Friday, Lowe said a commitment has already been made, by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide funds.

In his overview of 2010, Lowe said minor setbacks were experienced with the rehabilitation of structures along East Bank and East Coast Demerara corridors, mainly due to unfavourable weather and the delay in arrival of components from the United States.

However, general improvements have been effected on sidewalks, traffic signals and facilities for pedestrians, he noted, adding that, in 2011, the WSG expects to complete the work on the Black Bush Polder project; East and West Canje roads and the Bridges Two programme.

Lowe said feasibility and design studies are ongoing for the rehabilitation of Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.

Meanwhile, Head of the Transport Infrastructural Projects, Mr. Leon Goring, said 486 roads were rehabilitated with $4.2 billion and approximately 200 of the jobs were executed under the capital bridges programme.

However, under the Hinterland Road Programme, works are still ongoing in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Goring said repairs were also completed on bridges in and out of the capital city and maintenance of traffic lights was undertaken, with only 48 remaining inoperable at year end.

He lamented that vandalism and accidents constitute a serious problem, with the Ministry having to spend $18M to effect repairs to damaged fixtures and only eight per cent of the expenditure recovered, even though the Ministry has a database of information in relation to all  the damage and the culpable persons.